Modern Cat Spring/Summer 2018

EDITOR'S LETTER

We're feelin' love!

“I have been following Modern Cat magazine since the beginning. It's so informational and the product recommendations really make such a difference with my cat. ”—Connie Marie

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e’ve rounded up some pretty darn cool things to share with you this issue! From an inspiring new website that matches you up with cats that need a temporary foster home to super-fun cat-approved toys, we’ve got finds, fun, and surprises galore in store for you. Our two favourite cat behaviourists—none other than Jackson Galaxy and Michelle Nagelschneider— weigh in, offering actionable solutions to cat behaviour problems and a howto for walking your cat on a leash. Plus, we have expert tips on how to take amazing photos of your cat, Instagram famous cats you should follow, inspiring entrepreneur stories, the coolest cat furniture and gear, and so much more! Find out why boosting your cat’s confidence is essential (p 38), discover the cat books you need to read, and find cool new products to improve you and your cat’s lives—it’s all in here, along with a ton of cute cats. Happy reading. We’re so glad you’re a part of our community!

I love Modern Cat because it's a fun space for a cat lover like me. Plus, my Little Ellie would like her momma to have access to more articles about her kind! —Erika Meyer

LITTLE ELLIE SUBMITTED BY ERIKA MEYER

CONNIE WILSON WITH DAO DAO, PHOTO TANYA KING

OUR R E ADE R S WR IT E

SPARKY AND CHARLIE SUBMITTED BY CLORI SEREDA

P.S. Don’t forget to enter to win cool cat stuff (p 18)!

Much love,

Connie Wilson, Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief

Millions of people who otherwise would be completely lost in their minds and in endless past and future concerns are taken back by their dog or cat into the present moment, again and again, and reminded of the joy of Being.

— Eckhart Tolle, from Guardians of Being

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Wow!! Sparky & Charlie recieved their PureBites prize pack today!! Thank you Modern Cat magazine :) #adoptdontshop—Clori Sereda

Win Freebies on Facebook! Follow us: >> facebook.com/moderncatmagazine

cat

C ON TRIBUT OR S

S P R I N G · S U M M E R 2 0 1 8 VOL 7

NO 1

Publisher

Modern Cat Inc.

In this issue world-renowned cat behaviourist Mieshelle Nagelschneider shares why you should consider walking your cat on a leash—and how to get started! Mieshelle knows her stuff. The author of the must-read book The Cat Whisperer has revolutionized feline behaviour modification programs by altering the environmental landscape within the household. Turn to page 24 to read her article in this issue!

Editor-in-Chief

Connie Wilson Editor & Creative Director

Jennifer Nosek Design & Production

Clara To Circulation & Audience Development Coordinator

Jennifer Yau Sales & Marketing

Mariah Stanley, Katherine Hall Manager, Accounting Services & Subscription Services

Celine Benipayo Copywriter & Administrative Assistant

Laura Dennis Copywriter & Subscription Coordinator

Eleanor Munk Sales & Marketing Assistant

Alice Sewell Controller

Cecilia de Roca Chan, CPA, CGA Honourary Editor-at-Large

Jytte Wilson INTERESTED IN SUBSCRIBING? Give us a call at 1-800-417-6289 or subscribe online at moderncat.com/subscribe

Award-winning journalist Tracey Tong lives and writes in Ottawa, Ontario. The Burlington native gets her feline fix by visiting her local animal shelter on a regular basis. A former daily news editor, columnist, and media spokesperson, Tracey’s work has appeared in publications all over North America. In this issue, Tracey dispels the myths and misinformation surrounding FIV. Turn to page 68 to read her article.

Advertising inquiries call (866) 734-3131 In Canada: MODERNCAT (ISSN 1929-3933) Volume 7, Issue 1.

Published semi annually by Modern Cat Inc. at Suite 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4 POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Cat, Suite 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4 In USA: MODERNCAT (ISSN 1929-3933) Volume 7, Issue 1.

Published semi annually by Modern Cat Inc. at 142 Churchill Drive, Newington, CT 06111-4003.

Periodicals postage paid at Hartford, CT and additional offices.

POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Dog, PO Box 310402, Newington, CT 06131-0402.

PHONE

(604) 734-3131 OR TOLL FREE (866) 734-3131

FAX

Liz Stavrinides is the talent behind the lens of Lovedog & Co, the Carmel, California-based portrait and lifestyle pet photography company.

In this issue, she trained her camera on our Star Cat Photo Contest winner with adorable results! Turn to page 74 to check them out. Liz’s unique style is the result of her lifelong pursuit of being a professional photographer, with Liz ultimately focusing on combining two of her greatest passions in life—her love for animals and photography—into a rewarding career. For more on Liz’s work, check out lovedogandco.com.

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(604) 734-3031 OR

TOLL FREE

(866) 734-3031

The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, images, photographs or other materials. By accepting and publishing advertising the publisher in no way recommends, guarantees or endorses the quality of services or products within those advertisements.

Copyright 2018 by Modern Cat Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means, electronic or mechanical, including the Internet or photocopying without the written permission of the Publisher. Modern Cat and its logotype are the trademarks of Modern Cat Inc. Modern Cat is published two times a year. Two-year subscription prices: Canada $18CAD, U.S.A. $18USD, foreign $45USD. Subscription orders and customer service inquiries should be sent to Modern Cat Subscription Services, Suite 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4

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www.moderncat.com Publications Mail Agreement Number 42496543 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. Nous reconnaissons l'appui financier du gouvernement du Canada.

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@ !

STUFF WE LOVE Modern Cat staffers’ picks of the litter

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1 My cat already loves getting cozy in her Karma Cat cave and I can now make it stylish by adding their new mix and match flower toppers! My cat still has her comfy space and I have a cat bed that’s super fashionable!—Alice ($80 for the cave, $18 for the Toppers, karmacat.com)

BM

BL

(

2 I worry how to ensure my cat’s protection if I am injured and can’t tell anyone that my cat’s home alone waiting for me. Latchkey Petz accessories alert first responders that you are a pet owner and their online registration houses all medical records and other important info. —Clara (From $15, LatchkeyPetz.com) 3 My kitty friends Matilda and Ophelia are really into Snappy Tom Ultimates! These healthy, protein-rich meals are grain-free with zero by-products and are made to mimic the natural diet of cats in the wild. Matilda and Ophelia love the purr-fectly delicious tuna and mackerel flavour!—Eleanor ($2 for a single can, snappytom.com) 4 My kitties love Wild Alaskan Salmon oil from Grizzly Pet Products! Extracted from delicious wild Alaskan salmon, this nutritious oil is chock-full of Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants. Add it to your kitty's dinner to support her immune system and contribute to a healthy skin and coat!—Laura (From $11, grizzlypetproducts.com) 5 It doesn’t get more natural than CatSpot Litter! It’s made of 100% coconut… and that’s it! Not only is it eco-friendly, odour eliminating, and hypoallergenic, it’s super-easy to maintain—just scoop the solids and give it a bit of a stir. And when you’re ready to change the litter after about 15 days, just toss the litter into your flower bed or compost bin!—Mariah (From $15/bag, catspotlitter.com) 6 When I first brought my new kitty Potato home from the shelter, she had some anxiety and uneasiness about being re-homed. I plugged in the ThunderEase Calming Diffuser and her stress level lowered like crazy! It’s a totally drug-free way to reduce anxiety symptoms like urine spraying and scratching, mimicking natural pheromones to make your cat feel calm and comfortable.—Jen ($22, thundershirt.com/thunderease) 7 My cats love scratching! My cats love cardboard! They don’t love vacuums. Scratch Lounge is tops in my multi-cat home because my kitty crew can scratch, chill, and even scratch while chilling (thanks to the elevated sides). The non-toxic, environmentallyfriendly materials are super-durable—so I’m not left vacuuming up bits and pieces!

—Katherine ($20, scratchlounge.com) 8 My cat always looks so cozy in her Bowsers Buttercup bed! Shaped like the flower it is named for, this clever bed can be slept on flat (like a mat) or adjusted if your cat is a snuggler that prefers privacy. Machine washable, the Buttercup bed is available in an array of gorgeous designs. I love the marshmallow, blush, and eclipse styles!—Connie ($60, bowsers.com) 9 Between me and my sister, the water bowl in our house is empty before you know it. With the Automatic Fresh Water fountain from MyThreeCats.com, we always have filtered water to drink! Water streams from an adorable frog’s mouth and it holds 1.14 liters of H2O – definitely enough to keep us hydrated!—Domino (Starting at $29 for fountain, $9 for splash mat, mythreecats.com) 10 As a notorious clean freak, I have nightmares about the dirty litter scoop—enter the Coco Hook-On Litter Scoop from Rufus & Coco. This adorable scoop hooks securely onto the litter tray so it’s always close at hand and not lying around spreading germs. The cute cat face design doesn’t hurt either!—Jennifer ($4, rufusandcoco.com.au) 11 Sometimes my poor cats get nervous or spooked when it comes to anxiety inducers like thunder, fireworks, or new visitors to my home. Luckily you can help your cat stay calm with Bach Rescue Remedy. Just add two drops of this natural remedy used on humans and animals for more than 80 years to help your kitty relax and regain emotional balance.—Celine ($21, rescueremedy.com/pets)

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^

&

PHOTOS TOMOOKI KENGAKU

THE CAT TREE this!

FOR THE MOST DISCERNING CAT OWNER IN THE WORLD How much do you spoil your fur baby? After showering your cat with treats, toys, and other goodies, you may think your kitty has it all. But does she have this cat tree?

The Neko Modern Cat Tree, made of natural woods paired with a marble base sourced in Greece, might just be the most gorgeous and luxurious cat home in the world. While many cat trees fall into the eyesore category, this beautiful Japanese cat tree is a genuine piece of art, resembling an innovative, modernist sculpture while keeping your cat’s comfort in mind. Designed by Tokyo-based “cat lifestyle brand” Rinn in collaboration with product designer Yoh Komiyama, the Neko Modern Cat Tree is the ultimate in feline indulgence.

Of course, there is one caveat: this gorgeous piece of architecture will set you back one million Japanese yen— that’s $8,800. Better start saving!

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THE SCOOP OH HI !

RE THE

THE BACHELOR It was just another busy day at the Washington County/Johnson City (WCJC) Animal Shelter in Johnson City, Tennessee, when a one-year-old Calico cat looking for a forever home showed up. But in fact, this was no ordinary Calico cat—this marbled coated orange and black cutie named Charlie was a he!

For those that don’t know, finding a male calico cat is kind of like finding a unicorn.

Though calicos and tortoiseshells are not themselves unusual, they are nearly always female. Due to the fact that coat colour is a sex-linked trait in cats, only one out of every 3,000 calico cats will be male. According to Mother Nature Network, calicos and tortoiseshells are often female because the X chromosome is responsible for both orange and black fur. As females have two X chromosomes, they can often display both patches of colour at once. Males, on the other hand, have XY chromosomes, so they actually have to have a rare mutation in order to display both colours. This means that Charlie is super special—he has XXY chromosomes rather than XY chromosomes.

When Tammy Davis, Director of the WCJC Animal Shelter, was first told about the new arrival at WCJC, she didn’t initially believe it.

“I thought [my staff] was crazy,” she said, and went to investigate herself.

Sure enough, Charlie was a male calico, which earned him instant celebrity status in his town.

“I immediately called my vet with the amazing news,” Tammy says.

He even made the front page of the Johnson City Press.

Celebrity status has not gone to his head, however. Tammy reports that Charlie is a wonderful cat and has now gone to a loving home.

Think your cat may be a ‘unicorn’ “He went to a person that truly appreciates like Charlie? For $95, Basepaws will him for the unique cat he is,” Tammy told send you an easy-to-use CatKit, the Modern Cat magazine. “Charlie has the world’s first at-home cat genetics best personality you could ever ask for. He test. Your kitty’s DNA sample will be is extremely loving and makes biscuits all analyzed to determine things such the time.” as what breeds make up your cat’s

unique heritage—even tracing back their roots to different species of wild cats! Basepaws.com

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To help WCJC Animal Shelter continue their good work, check out their website at tailchaser.org.

How to Find the Best, Approved Cat Products We’ve done the sleuthing for you! To make the search easy, we’ve put all of our favourite products and services in one place—our e-store, shop.moderncat.com!

Whether you’re looking for wellness products, healthy treats, or the best cat beds or toys, we’ve got you covered! Find exactly what you’re looking for and shop with confidence at shop.moderncat.com

SQUEAKY SUBMITTED BY KAREN

THE SCOOP

CROSSWORD

CAPTION THIS! Test your "funny." Create a caption for this cartoon and submit your entry at moderncat.com/cartooncaption. The most comic captions will be published in the next issue.

And the winning captions from last issue are…

Across

Down

! Long-haired cat % Smooth and lustrous, as fur * Refuge ( Cat lover who takes in a stray

! Search for prey, e.g. @ Home for stray cats # "Eek! ___ a mouse!"

perhaps BN __, shucks BO Noisy BP Cat food BQ Lay odds BR Green open spaces for fido to run in BS Cornish ___, cat breed CL Barker or Kettle CM A cat can do this but a dog can't CO School transport CQ Babe CR Approves CS ____ shorthair (the short haired version of a Persian) CU Say yes to DL A cat's can be pointed or floppy DN Person who'll do bathing, brushing and nail clipping DR ____ Rex breed, with really satellite-dish ears DT Promotional piece DU Have a dainty drink from a bowl EL One of the oldest breeds of domesticated cat

(words a kitty loves to hear) Basketball org.

Show of feline affection with the eyes (2 words) ^ Place for the poop, 2 words & Lots of kitties love to play with a ball of this BL Pat gently BM Barely manage, with "out" BQ Something to scratch BR ____nese, playful and intelligent long-haired cat BT Marks a ballot BU Formal wear CN Appearance CO Cat which has a jungle look CP On one's own CT Signal DL Northeasternmost state, abbr.

DM A single time DO Healthful nutrient amt.

DP Egyptian ___ breed DQ They might be parked at trailer parks DR Genetic marker, abbr.

DS Compete

$ %

GO!

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Find your answer on page 79.

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“See! He is ignoring my Purr-sonal space again! ” SUBMITTED BY LYNELLE CHRISTY

RUNNER-UP CAPTIONS “Don't look at me. It was Milo's idea. I just came along for emotional support.”

SUBMITTED BY SUSAN GALE WICKES

“I'm just an accomplice, he's the meow-stermind.”

SUBMITTED BY JUAN CARRILLO-NAVA

"Keep your head down! If we can't see them, they can't see us!"

SUBMITTED BY RHONDA LOCKE

C A R T O O N S © 2017 B Y D A V I D J A C O B S O N

CAT LOVERS

ENTER TO WIN

We’re giving it away! Enter to win fabulous giveaways April through September. Go to moderncat.com/giveaways to enter! Lucky readers will win every two weeks.

april

may

1st-14th

Win 1 of 3 dining sets from MyThreeCats.com. These elevated tortoiseshell bowls and ribbed mat are as functional as they are fashionable.

15th-30th

Win 1 of 70 Snappy Tom pet food prize packs! Each contains 23 premium, grain free cat dinners, including Naturals pouches and canned Lites and Ultimates!

june

1st-14th

Win 1 of 6 Click n Clean Multi-Surface Spray Mops from Rejuvenate. It’s PURRfect for trapping cat hair and wiping up paw prints!

15th-31st

Win 1 of 12 FurZoff, the new and better way to remove pet hair from your home and vehicles. Made in USA of 90% recycled material, it’s 100% durable!

july

1st-14th

Win 1 of 2 modern litter box enclosures from Way Basics. Made from sustainable non-toxic zBoard paperboard, it’s the ultimate way for your cat to go to the bathroom in style!

15th-30th Win 1 of 3 Basepaws cat DNA tests! Learn what genetics can tell you about your cat’s ancestry, breed and ultimately their health and habits. Know your cat, inside and out!

august

1st-14th

Win 1 of 10 Jackson Galaxy Urine Stain and Odor Destroyer prize packs from Fizzion. Keep your house “Cat Daddy” clean!

15th-31st Win 1 of 15 Broth Bowl and Wildly Natural treats prize packs from Fruitables. Broth adds hydration and flavor to kibble and their crunchy treats drive cats wild!

september

1st-14th

Win 1 of 7 Jackson Galaxy Butterfly Balls from Petmate.

Featuring a motion-activated butterfly and a self-righting base, it will entertain your cat for hours!

15th-31st

Win a Premium Cat Tree from Armarkat! At 37" high, it holds up to three felines. Carpeted posts and a swing rope complete the sturdy design. Plus, it’s Cat Daddy Jackson Galaxy approved!

1st-14th

Win 1 of 2 black SturdiBags in size large. This feather-light, machine washable carrier is perfect for traveling with your pets by car, airline or on foot.

15th-30th

Win 1 of 4 Petique’s Kungfu Paw cat toy made of non-toxic, sustainable cardboard. Safe for your playful cats and safe for the environment.

No purchase necessary to enter or win. Beginning April 1, 2018 at 12:01 AM (PST) through September 30, 2018 at 11:59 PM (PST), enter each day at moderncat.com/giveaways. Each biweekly giveaway ends at 11:59 PM (PST). Every two weeks, the specified number of winners for that giveaway will win the prize featured in the giveaway calendar (ARV: $200). Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. Contest is open to legal Canadian and US residents 18 and older as of date of entry. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law. Giveaway subject to complete official rules available at moderncat.com/giveaways.

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INSET PHOTO: TABITHA SUBMITTED BY REGINA

s y a w a e v i G t a Gre

R E P cat SU PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS !

E T CU Bentley Budnick Lila

Rafi Lulu Jace Milo

Dyami Loki

Casper Donut 20 moderncat

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Ricky

Gigi

Ariel Rafaella

Ollie

Mr Bingley

Bingo

J Lucian Aurora

Maury

Elliot

Pepys

Adèle

Oberyn Lillemusen Think your cat ought to grace the pages of Modern Cat? Upload your cat's photo at moderncat.com/photocontest.

Not only will he or she be entered to be our Cat of the Week, but a selection of the photos entered will appear on these pages!

Robyn Artzai moderncat.com

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too cute!

Give your cat the private haven she deserves with P.L.A.Y.’s chic and cozy Pet Teepee. Made from pine wood poles and 100% natural cotton canvas, this hideout is the cat’s meow!

Avaiable in an array of cool patterns and colours. From $75, PetPlay.com

Your cat will love the Way Basics’ eco-friendly Cat House and you’ll love the easy assembly and sleek design. It provides the perfect place to hang or hide, depending on your cat’s mood. $36, WayBasics.com

CatTastic Décor Finds to thrill both you and your cat

Bring the joy of climbing trees to your indoor cat!

Cats will love jumping, scratching, climbing, and relaxing on an On2Pets cat tree. These gorgeous artificial trees are made from pressed wood, carpet, and silk leaves, and are available in different sizes, styles, and even with shelves. If we were cats we’d want this!

From $160, On2Pets.com Give your cat a luxurious hidey-hole where he can watch the world go by in comfort. The hexagonal design of The Cat Ball creates a stylish and unusual nook with thick, padded walls—it’s the perfect spot for naps, games, and hiding away when the world just gets too much! $50, TheCatBall.com

This sleek and sophisticated bowl is more than just a pretty face. Shallow and slightly curved, the stainless steel Jackson Galaxy Eclipse Bowl is designed to reduce whisker stress. This may sound cute but when sensitive whiskers touch the sides of bowls, it can be extremely irritating and uncomfortable for your cat. This bowl fixes that! $9, Petmate.com

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Show your cat—and your furniture— how much you love them with the Heart Scratcher from Americat Company.

Made with heavy-duty cardboard, this double-sided scratcher is built for maximum durability to satisfy cats' natural scratching instinct. $30, AmericatCompany.com

BEHAVIOUR

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INSET PHOTO FRITZ LIEDTKE/WWW.FRITZPHOTOGRAPHIC.COM

A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE The benefits of taking your cat for a walk

By Mieshelle Nagelschneider, aka The Cat Whisperer Illustration by Ryan Garcia

W

alking a cat on a leash? As a cat owner, you’ve probably heard of this phenomenon by now. To some it may seem absurd, but to others, exploring the great outdoors with their leashed feline is a normal part of their daily lives. And it turns out there are some very good reasons to consider it.

Cats usually do quite well living inside our homes and never setting a paw outside, but if you think about it, the cat is not designed to be stuck in “captivity.”

Our cats’ wild ancestors lived outdoors for thousands of years, exploring and hunting—but there were also many dangers they encountered that our inside cats will never experience. Letting our domesticated cats run amok throughout the neighbourhood unsupervised can provide extra exercise and enrichment, but because of serious outdoor hazards, I do not recommend it. Instead, I promote keeping cats safely inside to help them live healthier and longer lives.

Yet there is still an occasional twinge of guilt that many cat owners feel for not letting their cat outside to experience all that nature has to offer. This is where walking a cat on a leash comes in. It may not be suitable for certain cats, but for many, walking outside on a leash is a great way to provide the enrichment that only outside can provide, while at the same time keeping your cat out of harm’s way. moderncat.com

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HOW TO WALK YOUR CAT ON A LEASH

#1

Have the right gear

You will need a harness specifically designed for a cat, and a leash. Do not use anything other than a cat harness or your cat can easily maneuver out of it in an instant. {Editor's Pick: We like Sturdi Products Walking Vest. Sturdiproducts.com}

#2

Start indoors

#3

Moving outdoors

#4

Keep fear out of the equation

For safety, help your cat get used to the cat harness and leash inside the home before venturing outside.

Under direct supervision, place the cat harness on your cat making sure it fits snugly. Once your cat has become accustomed to wearing the harness, attach the leash and hold onto it while he meanders throughout the home.

Give him cat treats, canned food, or his favourite catnip toys to help keep the experience pleasant.

Once he’s accustomed to the harness and leash, it’s time to move outdoors. Make sure you always place the harness and leash on your cat inside the home before moving outside. It’s best to start in an area outside that is the safest and quietest. Ideal is a yard enclosed with a fence and free of noises that can cause your cat to become fearful. Let your cat move at his own pace and decide where to explore.

Help your cat feel in control and confident by

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maneuvering a wand toy for him to play with while outside.

Cats cannot feel fear while they are in hunting mode. The more confidently he behaves on his outings, the more confident he will become over time. I always have the leash in my left hand and the wand toy in my right hand.

#5 Adjust expectations

Do not expect your cat to walk on a leash like a dog.

This is all about exposing your cat safely to the outdoors to enrich his life; not a lesson in “obedience” training.

Expect your cat to be meandering and exploring while you hang onto the leash instead of him walking perfectly by your side. This is a chance for your cat to experience the birds flying overhead, smell all the new scents, and even roll around in the dirt for the first time! Let your cat dictate the direction and pace.

Many cat owners tell me that their once timid cat is now more confident following the addition of outdoor treks to their routine. They notice their cat’s behaviour is elevated, with the cat showing a new level of thinking and engagement with their environment. Some of my clients even tell me their own lives have changed for the better by strolling through their neighbourhood for the very first time, and, like their cat, their lives have become enriched too! n

Mieshelle Nagelschneider performs phone and video cat behaviour consultations nationally and internationally.

You can contact her at thecatbehaviorclinic.com.

PHOTOS ARVID VAN BOEKEL

COVER CAT

THE N E QUE UFF FL OF GNS REI

THE CAT WITH 1.3 MILLION FOLLOWERS

W

ith her piercing emerald eyes and glorious mane of hair, Smoothie, a golden-shaded British Longhair cat, was pretty much made for Internet stardom.

Her whopping 1.3 million Instagram followers clearly agree.

The man behind the cat is 30-year-old Arvid van Boekel.

Arvid started Smoothie’s Instagram account back in 2015 when Smoothie—or Smoothepetoote, as he affectionately calls her—was one year old. It was mainly because “my friends told me that I posted too many cat pictures on my personal Facebook account,” he laughs. “I was looking for a medium where I could just post all the lovely pictures of Smoothie. It was never my intention to become so big. It just happened.” Once Arvid created the account and started to post pictures regularly, there was an immediate response, he recollects. “People were wondering what kind of cat she was; they couldn’t really figure it out.”

The real tipping point in Smoothie’s popularity however, was when in early 2016, Bored Panda declared her

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TOP 10 TIPS

FOR TAKING BETTER PHOTOS OF YOUR CAT FROM ARVID VAN BOEKEL, THE MAN BEHIND @SMOOTHIECAT

1

MAKE SURE YOUR CAT IS COMFORTABLE.

This is, for me, is the most important one. It’s best to just take pictures when cats behave naturally. Don’t dress them up if they don’t want that; don’t force them to do anything.

2

CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE. We usually see our cats from the same point of view—from above—but try to go on their level sometimes. Go on your knees for example; stretch. Work those angles.

3

CHECK THE BACKGROUND. Nobody wants to see

It was never my intention to become so big. It just happened.

“The Most Photogenic Cat In The World.” Her number of followers skyrocketed.

“I was already completely shocked when we reached 100,000,” Arvid says, “and it never really stopped. Now she’s at 1.3 million followers and among the biggest cat accounts.”

Note that such a following is no happenstance occurrence.

Arvid concedes, “It takes a lot of time—at least a couple of hours every day, seven days in the week. It’s so much more than just posting pictures. It’s about creating the perfect shots, coming up with clever captions, responding to messages and emails, doing interviews and collaborations with brands and charities… And that’s next to playing with the cats, giving them all the love they deserve, grooming them every other day, and having a full-time job. It started as something really easy, but grew into something much bigger.”

Since last year, Arvid also runs a YouTube page so he devotes additional time to filming and editing. His goal is to create and share more advice videos, sucth as his post demoing how to introduce two cats, which has received over one million views to date.

Though managing Smoothie’s social media undeniably represents a serious time commitment, it’s decidedly a labour of love. “I would definitely never stop; I like it so much,” Arvid says. “The people in the cat community are so loving and caring and they certainly became an important part of my life. There are people that can’t have cats themselves so they see Smoothie as their digital cat. Her amount of followers is just a number, but these kinds of stories are what make it so special.” n

a mess on the table. It only distracts from the beautiful animal that’s your subject. It’s best to have the background as calm as possible.

4

CHOOSE THE RIGHT LIGHTING. Of course photography is all about light, so play with that. Take pictures next to the window—try sunset and dawn as well. These times usually have the most beautiful lighting.

5

GET AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE. It’s all about your

cat and nothing else, so either go really close or just zoom (only if you have a proper zoom lens of course, otherwise you’ll lose a lot of quality).

6

ALWAYS HAVE YOUR CAMERA READY. You

don’t want to miss a precious moment, so even though you don’t have a DSLR close by, make sure you have at least a phone to film them. The best moments always come unexpectedly.

7

WORK WITH A HIGH SHUTTER SPEED.

Like little kids, cats don’t sit still so make sure you freeze the moment. This way you won’t have any blurry or unfocused pictures.

8

FOCUS ON THE DOMINANT EYE (the eye that’s most important for the picture). Pet photography is all about expression, so the face of your cat should be the centre of it all.

9

USE THE BURST MODE. In the digital age we can take plenty of pictures and also remove them with a single click, so make use of that. Of course you will have a lot of pictures that are not worth keeping but that’s not a problem. With every burst you’ll also have a few nice ones and you have something to choose from instead of just one picture at a time.

10

MOVE SLOWLY. If you scare your cat with a sudden sound or movement, the moment will be completely lost.

PRO TIP:unmissable. You can get really close For pet photography a prime lens is

and are able to create those blurry backgrounds.

moderncat.com

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craft

PET PROJECT

D.I.Y.

Sushi Cat Toy

By Kristina Stephens

Materials

ÆÆNeedle ÆÆThread: black & white ÆÆMeasuring tape ÆÆScissors ÆÆFelt in: black, white, red, pink & green ÆÆCatnip (around 4-5 Tbsp) or cotton batting How-to

1

Cut 2 white circles (2” in diameter) for rice; 1 black rectangle (1.5” x 6.5”) for seaweed; 2 pieces of green for avocado; 2 pieces of pink for ginger; and 2 pieces of red for salmon.

2

Stitch 1 piece of the red, green and pink to each of the white circles.

3

Using a blanket stitch, stitch the ends of the black rectangle to make a circle.

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4

Sew both rice rounds onto the seaweed. Leave a small opening on one side.

5

Fill the roll with the catnip or cotton batting. Stitch the hole closed and present to your discerning cat. These also make a super-cute gift for a cat-loving friend!

Don’t have the time—or dexterity—to make your own sushi toys? Check out the catnip-infused Maki and Nigiri toys from munchiecat. Their sophisticated sushi sets will please even the most discerning feline.

From $30, Amazon.com/munchiecat

PHOTO PHOTOBOX VANCOUVER (PHOTOBOXVANCOUVER.COM)

Make these adorable, catnip-stuffed sushi toys for your sophisticated kitty!

Foster Kindness— Foster a Cat!

PHOTO ©XXXXX

PHOTO TAMMY BERK FINE ART

INSPIRE

Having already revolutionized rescue pet adoption, Petfinder.com founder Betsy Banks Saul turns her attention to foster pets with the goal of saving millions more animals through fostering. And you can help!

By Tracey Tong

I

f a homeless animal had a best friend, it would probably look a lot like Betsy Banks Saul.

Betsy has saved tens of millions of pets’ lives—yes, you read that right—through the ground-breaking rescue website she founded, Petfinder.com. The site allows would-be adopters to search out adoptable pets in their area from groups and shelters across North America. Along the way, she changed both public perception of rescue animals and how people adopt pets. Now she aims to do the same for foster animals.

It is not hyperbole to say Petfinder revolutionized pet adoption.

The idea for the site came to Betsy and her then-husband, Jared Saul, in December 1995 as they discussed what the Internet could do to help shelter animals. One month later, Petfinder was up and running.

It was hard work, with Betsy and Jared personally contacting groups and entering the adoptable pets, but for the first time, there was one database for adoptable animals in need of a home.

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Eventually, Betsy organized an unprecedented 14,000 shelters and rescue groups—nearly every organization across North America—so their adoptable pets were searchable through one place. “Everybody played in one sandbox,” says the Missouri native proudly. And it worked: in the last 20 years the number of animals euthanized annually has dropped from a shocking 20 million animals to 2.7 million, a big step in the right direction.

Wanting Petfinder to have an international reach, Betsy sold the website to Discovery Communications in 2006 for $35 million— that’s the kind of profile and traffic the site sees—and remained involved until Nestle Purina bought the site in 2013. But after leaving the company, “something kept me up in the middle of the night,” Betsy says. “I felt like I left some unfinished business on the table. We had done great things for adoptable animals— Petfinder was rockin’ and rollin’—but there were all these pets being left behind.” Animals were being euthanized because the shelters weren’t adopting them out quickly enough, or because

there wasn’t enough space. “And there were all these animals that don’t belong in shelters like birds and goats and horses, and other animals that were in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Not one to rest on her laurels, Betsy set to work on a new venture, one with the aim of catching the pets that fall through the cracks—and last spring, Betsy, along with Eric and Traci Theis, launched 911fosterpets.com. Already, it’s doing for fostering what Petfinder did for adoption.

Not every homeless animal can be taken in at the shelter, explains Betsy. A foster home is an in-between home, or a place to crash—and it saves lives. “Some animals are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Some animals just need a family for a day or two while transportation is being set up to get them to their rescue partners, or a couple of weeks to become old enough to qualify for adoption. Sometimes an adopter is interested in a pet but can’t take it yet. If the shelter is full, we can hold pets until a space opens up.”

To get the fostering site up and running, Betsy, along with Eric and Traci, started reaching out to shelters and foster parents, and got companies Merck and PetMeds on board. With an eventual goal of seeing a foster home on every block, 911fosterpets was born.

So far, animals on the site have been viewed over one million times and the associated groups have received thousands of foster offers.

It’s making a real difference. When someone fosters a pet, they not only save that pet’s life, but they also open a kennel space for another homeless pet in need, says co-founder Traci.

“Moms with kittens or puppies, pregnant dogs and cats, and dogs and cats with treatable colds who typically need two weeks out of the shelter are all examples of pets who are being euthanized simply because the shelters don’t have the space to care for them until they are adoptable,” she says. “Two to four weeks in someone’s home can save the lives of many pets.”

Cats, in particular, are at risk of being overlooked, says Betsy.

“We forget to go help the cats,” she says. In shelters, “cats are in more jeopardy than dogs. It’s the lack of awareness; it’s the fact that there are more of them. Twice as many cats are euthanized than dogs. That’s why cats are in so much trouble.”

To help these cats, Betsy urges cat lovers to consider fostering. “Fostering can allow foster cats and kittens the precious time they may need to find the right match,” she says. “Sometimes it takes a while for the right family to show up.”

Traci seconds this: “Fostering provides a safe, loving place for our furry friends to call home for a little while,” she says. “[It’s] somewhere they can experience what it feels like to be loved and cherished, without all the stress of a shelter environment. Fostering a pet turns an everyday person into a hero.”

There are benefits for humans, too. Fostering allows people with limited bandwidth to reap the benefits of pet ownership and feed their need to make the world a better place.

Anyone—millennials who don’t have time for a full-time pet and retirees who travel for months at a time—can be a foster pet parent if they can carve out a chunk of time, says Betsy.

Pet foster parent Melissa Troche says the lessons her children, now 22 and 14, have moderncat.com

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Deanna says. “Cats don't need much, and many of these cats are learned from fostering are invaluable. starving or freezing on the streets. So whatever people can offer “They’ve learned to care for something other than themselves,” they'd be thrilled to have.” says the Clearwater, Florida resident. “I’m not sure that they Like many fosterers, Deanna ended up adopting one of her foster would have gotten those lessons from school. It’s good for the cats. That’s not unusual—lots of pets find forever homes with soul and good for the spirit and it rewards you in a way you their foster parents, situations Betsy affectionately calls “foster can’t even begin to describe.” failures.’’ Betsy herself has had many foster failures, including Traci agrees. her cat, Charlie, a foster cat who was returned to her when his Now that she and Eric have a son, Jasper, fostering pets is adoption didn’t work out. While it is always sad to not have paramount, Traci says. “It enables us to teach him about an adoption work out, Betsy and Charlie have been almost compassion for animals and caring for others while also giving inseparable since. back to our community.”

Another time, Betsy brought home a 16-year-old surrendered Traci says people don’t realize that even a short-term cat, assuming the cat would pass before she could find someone commitment can save an animal’s life. One of the goals of willing to adopt the anti-social senior. “I 911fosterpets is simply to raise awareness simply didn’t want her to die at the shelter. of the benefits of fostering.

Little did I know that wonderful kitty “If more people knew, they would step up would live to be 20.” and foster,” Traci adds. “Veterinary care It is just so frustrating that we Deanna’s foster failure is “the most and often many, if not all expenses are see so many kittens being amazing cat,” she says. “When I was covered. [These pets] just need a family euthanized in shelters and, younger I had two orange Tabbies, so I've to love them and care for them until they always had a soft spot. When she came at the same time, we see can go up for adoption or find their forever home, she was so sweet and snuggly right family.” so many wonderful families from the get-go…but more surprisingly, Fostering also allows for a no-commitment willing to adopt them. The my husband, who is allergic to cats, didn't getting-to-know-you period, as opposed to timing just doesn’t work out. react to her!” adoption, which Betsy jokingly likens to an Kitten foster-parents can These are the perfect pairings that Betsy arranged marriage. bridge the gap. They truly frequently sees fostering allow for. “Most “When you see a pet at a shelter and save the kittens. often [it is] just a case of meeting that you take it home, it’s a miracle when it one-in-a-million pet that fits perfectly works out—you haven’t really met yet,” in the home—which makes fostering a Betsy says. Fostering, she says, allows really smart way to find your new best prospective pet owners to dip their toes friend,” Betsy says.

“Sometimes, pets just need a chance and in. “It’s a great way to ‘try before you buy,’ and be a little more a bit of time.” circumspect about who you invite into your home for 10 years.”

A lifelong animal lover, Betsy credits her parents for instilling It’s not only elderly and adult cats with special needs that have in her the urge to help others. “I translated that ethic onto all trouble finding homes. beings and never differentiated between people and animals,” “It’s shocking how many kittens are euthanized simply because she says. they aren’t old enough to be officially adopted,” Betsy says. Just These days, the 49-year-old former park ranger divides her time a few weeks of fostering can be the difference between life and between her homes in Crystal Beach, Florida, and Chapel Hill, death for a litter of kittens, she adds.

North Carolina, which she shares with about 40 rescue animals.

“It is just so frustrating that we see so many kittens being She has five cats, two dogs, cows, two goats, five horses, a euthanized in shelters and, at the same time, we see so many donkey, a box turtle, eight guinea hens, and 16 chickens. In wonderful families willing to adopt them. The timing just doesn’t short, she lives it, and helping animals is her life’s work. work out. Kitten foster-parents can bridge the gap. They truly “It’s about the golden rule,” says Betsy. “Everyone needs a hand save the kittens.” up sometimes.” n Since 2001, Deanna Wright’s family has fostered about a dozen cats including a mom with three young kittens.

The Ottawa, Ontario resident got into fostering after learning about the need while volunteering at her local chapter of the humane society.

“Most people don't realize that all it takes is a spare room,”

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Find a cat to foster at 911fosterpets.com. It could change both your life and the life of the cat you foster.

Turn the page to check out cats looking for a foster home!

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FOSTER ME! These cats—and many more like them—are all looking for a temporary foster home to help them on their journey to finding a forever family.

Fostering is a short-term commitment and, most often, all expenses are covered. By temporarily opening your heart and home, you help give a cat a second chance and create space in shelters and rescues so that they can save more lives. Plus, it makes your heart feel good. Check out these cuties and consider fostering—we’re willing to bet you won’t regret it. Find more cats in your area looking for a foster home at 911fosterpets.com, a wonderful website featuring over 30,000 pets in need of fostering.

Nessie

Can crash oIn your couch?

Rescue: Paws For Life Rescue Location: Troy, Michigan

Nessie loves absolutely everyone! This eight-month-old sweet, friendly girl loves to purr and snuggle and gets along with other cats. Nessie always uses the litterbox and loves to play.

Interested in fostering Nessie?

Contact info@pawsforliferescue.org.

Molly Rescue: Stray Cat Alliance Location: Los Angeles, California

Molly is a sweet two-year-old orange beauty who is shy in adoption centers with many cats, but thrives one-on-one or in a home with just a few. Molly is extremely loving and affectionate and is desperate for a person to love her, even if that’s in a foster home.

Interested in fostering Molly?

Contact Adoptions@StrayCatAlliance.org.

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Blossom Rescue: Stray Cat Alliance Location: Los Angeles, California

Interested in fostering Blossom?

Contact Adoptions@StrayCatAlliance.org.

Blossom is a darling six-month-old girl who loves to play and snuggle. All of her siblings have been adopted and she was left behind!

She would love another cat or kitten in her foster home.

(Please excuse the food on her nose— she loves her wet food!)

Yahtzee Rescue: Paws For Life Rescue Location: Troy, Michigan

This stunningly handsome oneyear-old neutered male has an outgoing, curious character. Yahtzee loves rolling around and asking for belly rubs and head scratches. He has great manners and always uses the litterbox like a good boy.

Interested in fostering Yehtzee?

Contact info@pawsforliferescue.org.

Shadow Rescue: Dallas Pets Alive Location: Dallas, Texas

Interested in fostering Shadow?

Contact info@dallaspetsalive.org.

Rafiki Rescue: Dallas Pets Alive Location: Dallas, Texas

Rafiki isn’t a fan of being held but loves to lay on you while you’re in bed. He loves to be pet and is learning to trust people again. He is very playful and likes to jump on and off of the cat tree in between watching the birds eat.

Interested in fostering Rafiki?

Contact info@dallaspetsalive.org.

Shadow gets along with other cats and loves to run and play!

He is learning to trust people again and is on his way to becoming the perfect cat!

Simba

Simba was a stray who was found along with his mate and four kittens. All of his family are in a foster home but this gentle and sweet guy is still in need.

Rescue: Southern Rescue and Friends of Ruston Animal Control Location: Ruston, Louisiana

Interested in fostering Simba?

Contact Simplysouthern@gmail.com.

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PHOTO LORI FUSARO

BEHAVIOUR

It’s All About The Mojo The Cat Daddy himself, Jackson Galaxy, on how to help your cats get their confidence back so they can live their bliss

By Jennifer Nosek I’m not much of the star-struck type, but when I found out I’d be interviewing Jackson Galaxy, the coolest cat guy around, star of countless “Cat From Hell” interventions, and advocate for misunderstood cats everywhere, I had to rein in my inner fangirl. Can you blame me? I would be interviewing the Cat Daddy himself! And you know what?

He lived up to all the hype. This man’s profound respect for and understanding of cats will make you a believer. Read on for Jackson Galaxy’s explanation of how to help your cat live his best life. Hint: it’s all about cat confidence.

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IN ADDITION TO YOUR TV SHOWS, APPEARANCES, AND LECTURES, YOU’VE AUTHORED FOUR BOOKS ON CATS, YOUR NEWEST BEING TOTAL CAT MOJO. HOW ON EARTH DO YOU FIND THE TIME? AND WHAT EXACTLY IS “CAT MOJO”? The idea of mojo in general is that sort of indescribable confidence—not cockiness, but confidence—that comes from inside, where you feel like you don’t have anything to prove. You don’t have to inflate your chest and walk around and tell people who you are. You are at home.

SO A CAT WITH MOJO IS A CONFIDENT CAT THAT’S LIVING HIS OWN TRUTH? It’s that bumper sticker, “live your bliss,” but cats do that naturally. If they are encouraged, allowed to express that “mojo-tive,” it makes everyone’s life easier and the cats are a lot happier.

That mojo comes from the connection that I call the raw cat.

It’s the ancestral, the cat sitting there in Furball Crescent tens of thousands of years ago with a direct line into your cat. Allowing that connection to blossom is part of where mojo comes from.

AND IN DOING SO, ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS THAT ARISE FROM CATS NOT BEING ALLOWED TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES? Exactly! This book is a long time coming because I was always really hesitant to put out sort of “Cats for Dummies,” you know. I didn’t want to just sit there and solve problems. What I wanted to do is really let you know where a lot of the problems come from in the first place.

SO IS THAT WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO WRITE TOTAL CAT MOJO THEN, THAT YOU WERE SEEING THE SAME PROBLEMS COME UP OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND THE ROOT OF IT WAS A FUNDAMENTAL MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE CAT’S NEEDS AND ESSENCE? Yeah, I mean, there’s not a day that goes by—literally not a day goes by—that I don’t get stopped on the street; that I don’t have somebody recognize and start hitting me with what’s going on in their home. I realize that no matter what I’ve done, whether it’s my show, or the other books, or videos, or lectures, or whatever, there’s still a gap so I really just

wanted to fill that gap. It’s about enriching the relationship.

It’s about getting you on board with the fact that you don’t own your cat, you don’t have a cat—you are in a relationship. [And even then,] where we start to go wrong is thinking that a cat is just like any other relationship.

WHAT ARE THE TOP ISSUES THAT PEOPLE WANT YOUR HELP WITH? It’s blood and guts and pee and poop—that’s my job in a nutshell. It’s litter box issues and aggression—whether it’s aggression towards people and other cats, or other animals or children or boyfriends or girlfriends, whatever—it usually will boil down to insecurity and the frustration that comes from that insecurity.

Litter box issues are like snowflakes, you know; they all come from the same cloud but they’re all sort of different.

That’s why we spend so much time on problem solving in the book. When it comes to cat on cat aggression, which is a big issue [and big section of the book], it comes down to the proper reintroduction or introduction of two cats. It is so important to appreciate mojo when you’re talking about introducing another being into a cat’s world.

I really do believe that if it’s not a medical issue—that’s where you start solving any problem, is getting a clean bill of health—if it’s not medical or if it’s not a matter of physical discomfort or mental discomfort, which also requires sometimes some pharmaceutical intervention— beyond that it’s the mojo issue. It’s the confidence in their territory; it is territorial anxiety, and that’s why I spend the first chunk of the book on that, on the keys that unlock that confidence.

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AN ISSUE WE FREQUENTLY HEAR IS, “MY CAT BITES RANDOMLY.” CAN YOU TOUCH UPON THAT? There are some of the obvious signs. All cats

where we start to go wrong is thinking that a cat is just like any other relationship

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respond to overstimulation in different ways, but with that said, the tail is the place to start. So many cats use the tail as almost this sort of escape valve for the extra energy that’s being put into the body by you. And so they get to this point where’s there’s that twitch to the tail and that graduates to a sort of micro wag, and then you’re getting to the point where your cat’s tail is wagging, and at that point, you should have stepped away from the cat five minutes ago. They are letting you know through the only way they have, which is through their sympathetic nervous system, to show you that they are filling up like a balloon.

A lot of overstimulation is petting induced. You’re sitting there sort of mindlessly petting or watching TV or whatever and suddenly you’re getting bit. The most you can do here is not freak out and not take it as this huge insult, which happens a lot, but back it up and see what was going on in that moment...what signs did I miss? Other than the tail, there are sometimes subtle signs that a cat is entering into that sort of reflexive fight or flight place: their ears start going back; that thing I call “back lightning” where the back starts to twitch a little bit; their tail starts to go; their eyes will begin to dilate—things like that, which are absolute, unmistakable signs of tension.

A lot of cats have tendencies towards petting-induced overstimulation. The first thing to remember is that it is the choice of their body not their minds. Of course those

WHAT DO YOU ADVISE INSTEAD? SCOOP THE LITTER BOX A COUPLE TIMES A DAY AND THEN LEAVE IT THE HECK ALONE? Right, and then look, every month or every however often, then go ahead, wash it out. Don’t use bleach, don’t use vinegar, for God’s sake. You don’t have to clean it within an inch of its life.

I have known clients that have done the deep cleaning twice a week. If you’re greatly offended, I mean recyclable plastic—get a new one after a certain amount of time. Make sure that your litter boxes are not just scent soakers but that there is enough of them to be sign posts throughout the socially significant parts of the house.

SO HOW MANY PER CAT? There’s that old formula:

things are tied together but it’s a physiological response.

So the worst thing that you can do is come up with all kinds of crazy relationship-based reasons why your cat hates you and while you’re there spinning your wheels, you’re not realizing that it was a physical phenomenon that was happening. One of the sure ways of mitigating that is to stay away from the full body pet where you’re doing earto-tail over and over again. It becomes this unbearable sensation to a lot of cats. If you stick around the cheeks, around the forehead, and under the chin, you’re not going to over-stimulate your cat remotely as often.

I THINK MANY READERS WILL BE SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT YOU DON’T ADVOCATE FOR FREQUENT DEEP CLEANING OF THE LITTER BOX. WHY DON’T YOU RECOMMEND THE DEEP CLEAN? When it comes to confident ownership of territory, you gotta remember cats create what I call signposts. Signposts are usually scent-soaked areas that cats will be able to go to during the course of the day. They smell themselves on it and they go, “that’s right I own this, movin’ on.” Soft beds are scent soakers; cat trees are

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for every cat you have a litter box plus one. [So 2 cats = three litter boxes] I think that works well as a guideline. I think it’s much more important to take look at where you are failing in the relationship compromise portion. And part of that is how many litter boxes do you have AND where do you have them? When it comes to the signpost part of the equation, you saying to me that you have three litter boxes but all of them are in the garage, in the mudroom or all three of them are behind the washing machine, That serves your purposes because you don’t want to look at a litter box but that does not serve a cat’s mojo purposes. Again, it’s about your willingness and where you’re willing to go.

HOW CAN PEOPLE TELL IF THEIR CAT HAS A MOJO ISSUE? I break cats down to these three major categories. There is the Mojito Cat, the cat who is like the host of the party—you know, you knock on the door and they open it with a tray of drinks and say, “come on in, let me show you around.” There is the cat version of that—any human walks in and they’re head-butting you, wrapping themselves around your legs, and leading you into the house.

There is the Napoleon Cat, and that’s the over-owner.

Because of lack of mojo, lack of confidence, lack of this stability in their world, they will over-own things. Those are the cats that will end up perimeter marking, peeing on

PHOTO JEFF NEWTON

scent soakers and scratching posts are scent soakers as cats put a visual and scent marker on those things. It is like a human walking through their house. You have framed pictures everywhere that remind you [of your] belonging in this life; that is what signposts are for cats. Now the litter box is the king of all scent soakers. That is where they mark; it’s not just a place to eliminate—it’s a place for your cat to identify a key part of her ownership of this territory.

What we do then when we deep clean it is we flush it away, erasing all traces of signpost-ness. [Don’t] clean it to the point where you can’t smell anything.

It’s blood and guts and pee and poop—that’s my job in a nutshell.

all of the walls and windows. Those are the cats that tend to pick fights with other cats even though they’ve sent the message time and time again, “I’m the boss of you.” [Even when response is,] “Okay, fine, you’re the boss off me,” the next day it’s, “Hey I’m the boss of you”—over and over because the root of it is that insecurity, that feeling down in their bones that I don’t own this.

And then the other side of the coin is the Wallflower.

The Wallflower is the cat who has the same issue, the lack of the feeling of ownership of territory, but that does the opposite—they do their best to just disappear. If they could become like a cat-coloured wall, they would do that. Or a wall-coloured cat. I mean they’re just giving it up. One is taking it by force and one is totally abdicating.

SO WOULD YOU USE THE SAME APPROACH FOR BOTH OF THESE CATS? At the heart of it, it’s the same approach. For instance, we connect to their ancestral purpose with [simulated] kill-eat. If we get the Napoleon cat in a daily session of play [“killing” toys] to eating, into grooming and sleeping and into starting again, and thus connecting them with their ancestor, then they own it. They don’t have to over-own because they gain that sense; where they “kill” something, they own that spot.

That gives them that sense of ownership through doing the job that they have been put on this planet to do and also we get that spare static energy out of them at the same time. And with the Wallflower, same, they gain confidence because they realize their purpose. Living their bliss so to speak, we can draw them out of the closet, out from under the bed, into the middle of a room and they can learn how to connect with the play/prey drive in them and by that, gain confidence.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE NUMBER ONE MISUNDERSTANDING PEOPLE HAVE OF THEIR CAT’S NEEDS? WOULD YOU SAY THAT WOULD BE AN OWNERSHIP OF TERRITORY OR…? Oh, I would say it’s much, much more basic. I think that we are in a large way guilty of looking at cats through dog-coloured glasses. That we expect from cats what we expect from dogs, on a communicative level, on a relational level, on a way that we think they should serve

us and they should be able to quote unquote speak to us in the way dogs do, and we set ourselves up for great disappointment.

SO AT THE HEART YOU THINK IT’S A FUNDAMENTAL MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE CAT’S ESSENCE OR THE CAT’S CAT-NESS THEN. Yeah, it’s the thought that, I mean, look, both dogs and cats have four legs and they both have fur, but past that it’s like apples and grapefruits, man. They are different animals. We took dogs out of the wild and immediately started turning them into this animal that can do jobs for us, that look to us for all the answers in the world. We did that. But with cats, they were literally along for the ride for thousands of years. They did a job, they did it incredibly well, and we were like alright, stick around; you keep us from dying from rat poop in our food, and we’re doing great together. So we didn’t bother changing them in any way and then suddenly we are angry at them for acting out in that way that only a hundred or 150 years ago was totally normal behaviour. The difference is, we took them from the outside and put them in the inside and said “now do things for me.”

SO WOULD YOU SAY THAT MAYBE THEN PEOPLE DON’T RECOGNIZE THAT, TO A LARGE EXTENT, CATS RETAIN THEIR WILDNESS, THEIR ANCESTRAL QUALITIES? We are at a very interesting moment in our co-evolution with cats. Up until this moment I really don’t consider cats to be fully domestic animals. I think that by treating them as such, we are not only setting them up for failure, but we are doing them a disservice. To a large degree...our desire to live with cats is to live with the wild. You know. But then we only take it so far and then we expect them to be domestic. And you can’t have both, you know.

If there’s one thing that I want you to come away from this book with, it’s thinking more about the relationship you are in than the cat you own. [In doing so,] you’re not just doing good by you and your cat, but you’re helping to spread an approach that, in my point of view will keep millions of cats from dying every year. n moderncat.com

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LET'S !

Y A L P oing to Your cat is g ys! love these to

A platform plus scratchers, and a toy, oh my! The Armarkat Premium Cat X2001 tree has it all—and in a nice compact package that won’t take over your home. Perfect for a single-cat household, this scratcher-tree combo offers everything the discerning kitty needs to nap or play. $40, Armarkat.com

Who cares about a pot of gold when you can find catnip at the end of the rainbow? Stuffed with only organically grown, premium, and potent YEOWWW Catnip, this handmade toy from Ducky World uses no other fillers to ensure the full ‘nip experience. $8, DuckyWorld.com

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Your cats deserve the finer things in life! Spoil them with this sophisticated selection of catnip cheese toys (brie, gouda, and parmesan) from Munchiecat. This adorable three-piece set includes crinkle paper and rattle toys that are made with soft, minky fabric and infused with catnip. Say cheese! $15, Amazon.com/munchiecat

Chasing lasers has long been a source of entertainment for cats as the unpredictable movement of the light mimics prey and awakens the hunter within. Go Kitty Cat has delivered a high-tech version with Magic Dot. You can control the laser using a smartphone or tablet and even program it to run when you are away! $50, GoKittyCat.com

INSPIRE

The Man Who Refused to Quit With sheer tenacity and a broken-down van, Rich Van Engers grew his “aha” moment into an internationally recognized pet company

By J. Leslie Johnson

R

ich Van Engers was down on his luck. He had recently emerged from a complicated divorce, and along with the usual heartbreak came devastating financial loss. “I had nothing,” recalls Rich, adding, “I had to totally start over.”

But he had an idea. One pleasant summer day, while bicycling in the seaside community of Edmonds, Washington, Rich saw a woman come out of a nearby pet store. She was carrying a squirming cat who was falling through the bottom of the box. At the same time, he caught sight of a canvas awning extending from the building. Rich thought that perhaps he could make a flexible pet carrier, shaped somewhat like the awning.

At the time, most pet carriers were either heavy and hardshelled, or so soft that they would threaten to collapse when people picked them up. His imagination was sparked: While Rich continued his day job driving a semi-truck for the Teamsters, his evenings were reserved for his pet carrier project. Using his kitchen table, he cut fabric and designed patterns, enlisting his mom’s help to sew the pieces together.

Soon he had a prototype—the first Sturdi bag, a carrier that was flexible but, as the name suggests, still sturdy and strong. It was ideal for travel and it worked especially well for in-cabin flights because its flexible height enabled it to fit under most airline seats.

Rich started taking his Sturdi bags to local pet shows, gaining not only exposure but invaluable feedback. People who stopped

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by his booth would comment, “That’s really great, but can you put a flap on it, or can you add a shoulder strap?”

Rich remembers.

Rich wisely took their suggestions to heart, and after each pet show would set to work at his kitchen table, adding a flap here or a strap there. At subsequent events he would encounter the same people, and they were pleased to see he had listened to them.

Still driving trucks during the day and working on his pet project at night, Rich steadily built his product line. That’s when he caught wind of a prime opportunity—a large pet show, bigger than any he had attended before, in Kansas City, Missouri. It would be full of pet lovers, breeders, trainers, exhibitors, and vendors.

There was, however, a slight problem. He was located on the west coast of the United States, in Seattle, Washington. Kansas City, smack in the middle of the American Midwest, was a distance of some 1800 miles. He would need to travel through Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Colorado to get there.

Since his bicycle—his only mode of transport outside of his work rig—clearly wouldn’t do the job, Rich scraped some money together and purchased an old beater of a van. He set off, making it about 300 miles before the van broke down. He fixed it. Then he drove about another 500 miles. The van broke down again. He fixed it. Rich eventually made it to just outside of Boise, Idaho,

I was recently divorced, I didn’t have any credit cards, I didn’t have any more cash, I was down to nothing. when, as he recollects, “the van really broke down.”

Rich set to work, crawling underneath the van in the wet and cold. It was raining so hard that his hands seized up from the chill. He retreated into a nearby washroom, stuck his hands under the dryer to warm them up, and then got back to work. Rich spent “every last dime” fixing the van and then got back on the road, every mile taking him closer to Kansas City, and the all-important pet show.

Rich was about 50 miles outside of Kansas City when he ran out of gas and money.

“I was recently divorced, I didn’t have any credit cards, I didn’t have any more cash. I was down to nothing,” says Rich. Never one to give up easily, the former member of the U.S. Marine Corps realized he had something valuable in the van: a brand new set of tire chains. Rich returned them at a local distributor and was handed the princely sum of fifty dollars, which he used to gas up his van, get a shower, and buy a burger.

Rich made it to the pet show, and the rest, as the saying goes, is history. He sold all his products and emerged with $17,000 and a “whole bunch of ideas.” The man who refused to quit reinvested his earnings back into his budding company and set about building it into what it is today: a leader in the pet carrier industry, with a full product line of over 40 items including flexible carriers, portable pop-up pet shelters, and displays for pet exhibitions.

Today, tens of thousands of Sturdi Bags are sold annually, and Sturdi does business in 25 countries with the strongest sales in Germany, Russia, and Japan. Sales at e-commerce retail sites are robust and are now outpacing transactions at brick and mortar stores. Clearly, the company is going strong. And Rich, now in his sixties, has no plans of stopping.

“When you love what you do, it’s not really like working,” Rich explains. “And when I walk through an airport, and I see someone using my products, I still get that same warm feeling.” n moderncat.com

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BODY & SOUL

The Effective Alternative To Brushing Your Cat’s Teeth

By Mark Ahrens-Townsend

H

ave you ever noticed a slimy or fuzzy feeling on your teeth and wondered what it’s caused by? That slimy plaque layer is actually a group of microorganisms, collectively called a biofilm. A biofilm is a community of bacteria that protect themselves by bonding together, making them very difficult to remove. Yuck, right?

Luckily, you brush your teeth (or at least we hope you do!), but what about your cat? While plaque in your cat’s mouth may not keep you awake at night, it can have damaging long-term effects on your cat’s overall health. Plaque biofilm can harden into tartar, which can lead to more serious conditions, such as periodontal disease. Early signs of periodontal disease are bad breath, bleeding gums, and tooth loss.

To keep your cat happy and healthy, early removal of biofilm buildup is vital—left untreated it can lead to expensive veterinary dental work and pain and suffering for your pet.

If you and your cat struggle with daily tooth brushing, try

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a product such as the oral spray or water additive from Bluestem Oral Care, which are scientifically formulated with food-grade ingredients to help fight plaque and tartar by safely breaking down biofilm where harmful bacteria multiply.

In a clinical study, dogs receiving Bluestem water additive alone saw a 25.4 percent reduction in tartar after 84 days. Simply add two capfuls of the water additive every time you fill your cat’s water bowl, or you can use the oral spray once a day. Of course, if you have your cat’s cooperation, go for their toothpaste (tooth brushing is the the gold standard for oral care, but you actually have to do it.) Whichever you choose, make it a daily routine you’ll follow through on, and you can save your cat’s teeth and your pocketbook.

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BODY & SOUL Does your cat have hot spots or other skin problems?

Try this!

Fix up your feline friend with Vetericyn Wound and Skin Care, a safe and effective topical solution for the care of wounds and irritations on your cat.

Designed to speed healing, it's 100% non-toxic, and contains no steroids, antibiotics, alcohol or tea tree oils. So it's safe for your cat. $15, Vetericyn.com

Does Your Cat Have Urinary Stones?

This Supplement Could Help!

All cats are prone to urinary stones, though some breeds are more susceptible than others, including Persian, Balinese, Burmese, Siamese, and short- and longhaired domestic cats. Though the cause of urinary stones is unknown, it is known that they are often formed by naturally occurring minerals, the most common being calcium oxalate and struvite. These minerals form crystals that accumulate and grow into painful stones.

What’s a cat lover to do?

A recent study has found a herbal supplement may be beneficial in lowering the risk of struvite crystals, a phosphate mineral found in urinary stones, in healthy young cats.

The supplement, called Tripsy, was developed by NHV Natural Pet Products, makers of veterinarian-approved plant-based natural supplements derived from organically grown and wild crafted herbs. The study was conducted under the supervision of Joe Bartges, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVN, Professor of Medicine and Nutrition, Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Veterinary Medical Center at The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.

According to Dr. Joe Bartges, “When given to young cats and adult dogs, in a relatively short period of time of two weeks, the collected urine samples indicated that Tripsy significantly decreased the risk of developing urinary stones in both groups. Although further evaluation is ongoing, the initial study results indicate that Tripsy may be beneficial in managing struvite crystals and stones in young cats and in managing calcium oxalate crystals and stones in adult dogs.”

Containing a blend of natural herbs (stone root, parsley piert, wild hydrangea, gravel root, echinacea purpurea, marshmallow, and Oregon grape), Tripsy helps to dissolve the stones and may also aid in alleviating painful symptoms and inhibiting infection. This proprietary formulation was developed by a holistic vet and a master herbalist to help pets suffering from stones, kidney disease, urinary tract infections, and more. Talk to your vet and find it at nhvnaturalpetproducts.com.

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The Find Keep hairballs at bay with CocoTherapy Cat Hairball Plus. Made from a single ingredient—high-fiber organic coconut— it reduces hairballs by supporting healthy skin and coat (less shedding!) and also helps your cat move hairballs through their digestive system. Bonus: it’s easy to digest for cats with sensitive tummies or allergies! $38 for three bags, CocoTherapy.com

FEATURED PROMOTION

Sadly, most cats will suffer from some type of kidney or bladder issue during their lives. Support their bodies naturally with NHV’s Renal Health kit. These gentle and effective supplements are vetformulated to support the kidneys, detoxify the body, and help alleviate pain. Made with organic and wild crafted botanicals.

NHVNaturalPetProducts.com

Feline foodies love Americat Company bowls! Made in the USA for safety, Americat Company bowls are human grade, lead-free, and BPA-free. The stainless steel keeps nasty bacteria out and is dishwasher safe.

Fun fact: Their low-profile design prevents whisker fatigue, so your cat can enjoy every bite! Available on Amazon and AmericatCompany.com

Help your cat live her best life with these wellness products!

Looking for the most comfortable body protection for your furry friend? The SUITICAL Recovery Suit provides wound and suture protection after surgery, helps with skin conditions, allergies and more! Designed for your cat’s shape and available in 4 sizes, it gives complete freedom of movement. The best alternative to the cone of shame! Suitical.com/products/recovery-suit/

All Natural Goodwinol Shampoo is gentle enough for even six-week-old kittens and puppies! This safe and natural shampoo is made in the USA, contains a natural insecticide, and has a clean bright scent! goodwinol.com

Vetericyn Plus is leading the way in at-home care for cuts, abrasions, eye irritations, allergies, and ear issues. It’s safe if licked or ingested, nontoxic, won’t sting or burn, antibiotic and steroidfree, and is Veterinarian recommended. When caring for your feline friend, use Vetericyn Plus!

Vetericyn.com

Manage hairballs with CocoTherapy CAT HAIRBALL PLUS! Made with only one ingredient, high-fiber organic coconut with NO artificial ingredients, preservatives, or fillers, you’ll feel good giving it to your kittens and cats—even those with sensitive stomachs or food allergies! It also supports healthy skin and coat for less shedding! CocoTherapy.com moderncat.com

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SUKI THE BENGAL CAT'S STUNNING OUTDOOR ADVENTURES WILL GIVE YOU THE TRAVEL BUG

” PHOTOS MARTINA GUTFREUND

“

WHEN SU WAS TH KI MONTH REE S OLD I BEGA N PUTTIN GA HARNE SS ON HER .

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25-year-old Marti Gutfreund is a landscape photographer based in Alberta, Canada. Suki is her oneyear-old Bengal. Together they are venturing into the wilds and taking magical nature photos, made all the more stunning for unexpectedly starring a cat.

Marti shares how she and Suki got started on their wanderlustinspiring adventures.

By Martina Gutfreund

M

y previous kitty passed away at 19 years old while I was gone on a trip. The house felt so empty upon my return and I was yearning for the companionship I had known for so long. I have always had kitties in my life, so naturally I was missing the presence immensely. This time, however, I was done with leaving my furry friend behind while I travel for work. As a landscape photographer, much of my work depends on going on hikes and visiting national parks, so I figured maybe I'd give this whole adventure cat thing a try. When Suki was three months old, I began putting the harness on her for a few minutes at a time. It started with a lot of fussing and wobbly steps, but after a few days she realized that the harness meant an ample amount of treats—that's all the convincing she needed! I really like the Puppia harness since it offers excellent support for longer hikes.

Suki's first excursion into the big outdoors began with my backyard, and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a little frightening for Suki. By day three, however, she was already exploring the edge of the neighbours' yard—and then the real adventures began!

MARTI'S TOP FIVE FAVOURITE PLACES TO TRAVEL WITH SUKI Emerald Lake (BC) Lake Louise (AB) Joshua Tree National Park (CA) Dinosaur Provincial Park (AB) Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park (AB) moderncat.com

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I think one of the most helpful things for training Suki was making sure that each car ride in the beginning was somewhere fun. Try to avoid making the only car trips to the vet, and keep the first few car rides short with many treats involved. I started by taking her to a park that was a five-minute drive away, and she got used to riding in the vehicle really quickly. Another thing that I think is extremely important for adventure cats is staying hydrated while on the trails. This can be tough with cats as they often don't like to drink water from unusual sources, so what I do is bring Suki's favourite wet food and mix a smaller than usual portion with two ounces of water several times throughout our hikes. It's the only way I can get her to drink and it works like a charm!

Suki’s Instagram started out a little slow, but as soon as I began taking her outside for photos it just took off. I am a landscape photographer (@enchanted. forest), so that also gave her page a big boost when I started it out.

We’re moving to Europe for six months in August, and will hopefully visit Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia, Cappadocia in Turkey, and Burg Eltz in Germany! n Follow along on their adventures at @sukiicat!

HOW TO TAKE BETTER PHOTOS OF YOUR CAT

1

Keep your camera on high-continuous shoot mode. This way your camera will take two or more photos very quickly, so if your kitty moves it should capture the good parts more easily.

be held with her front paws resting on your shoulder and will stay very still in this position. When your kitty is extremely still it allows your camera to really focus on the macro details.

2

5

Bring a small jingly toy or anything that gets your cat's attention so that you can get her to look up while you are taking photos. I usually bring a toy that Suki never sees unless we are out photographing; that way she isn't already bored of it.

3 4

Cats love to sit up high, so I will often place Suki on a larger rock or log and she will just sit down instead of walking away.

If you are trying to get close-up face shots, it helps to have someone hold your kitty in a comfortable position. Suki loves to

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Try to shoot during early morning/sunrise and late evening/ sunset. This is when the light is best for preserving detail and soft tones. Shooting at midday often causes harsh shadows and blown out highlights.

Martina’s Harness Recommendations For an inconspicuous harness that is more for photos, I use the Come With Me Kitty harness. It is very slim but comfortable and doesn't grab away any attention in the photos.

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PLANNING FOR YOUR CAT'S FUTURE...

WITHOUT YOU

By Kelly Caldwell

Why you need to make provisions for your cat in your will

M

y aunt Kate was a lifelong cat lover. I couldn’t tell you how many cat-themed items she owned— jewelry, scarves, clothes, cups… you name it. She loved her cats deeply, including her last two charges, Felix and Eevee.

But, cancer came calling when Kate was in her late 50s.

She fought the disease valiantly for a few years, and we all thought she had more time. Late in the fall of 2017, however, Kate had a small stroke, and everything changed.

While she was recovering, I visited Kate in the hospital.

We had a long, candid, and very emotional talk about our lives and about her health, which was deteriorating rapidly.

Her plan was to head up north with her daughter, where she would end her days peacefully in a hospice. But Kate hadn’t yet planned for her cats and she couldn’t take them. It was a source of great distress.

I promised her I would find them good homes. Kate was my godmother. She was 13 years older than me; as a child and teen, I simply idolized her. She taught me many things, including the importance of searching for the sparkle in every aspect of life. I wouldn’t stop, I assured her, until they were

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in good hands.

I ventured onto social media, posting about my aunt’s situation and the need to re-home her two cats. The outpouring of kindness was overwhelming. My posts were shared hundreds of times and I got some leads.

But Kate never did make it up north. She never even had a chance to say goodbye to her cats. A week after I made her that promise, she was in a local palliative care unit. I was at her bedside, holding her hand, and praying to any God that would listen to please end her suffering.

She passed away last November at the age of 61.

I met with a woman who wanted one cat, but under the circumstances was willing to take them both. But, on the morning after my aunt passed, I got the call… she had reconsidered. I knew it was for the best; the last thing I wanted was to send them away only to be returned. I thanked her for being so honest and for letting me know.

Then, I hung up the phone and wept.

I had failed. Time was running out. Yes, the cats were being fed and the litter box cleaned out, but they were alone and needed homes.

But Kate never did make it up north. She never even had a chance to say goodbye to her cats. A week after I made her that promise, she was in a local palliative care unit. I was at her bedside, holding her hand, and praying to any God that would listen to please end her suffering.

In this case, all’s well that ends well—but more on that in a bit. First, I’d like to help others avoid this; my experience showed me how real the need is for all of us to ensure that our cats are cared for—and not just in the here and now.

Here are some steps cat-lovers can take to avoid this scenario.

First of all, think of a caregiver you trust to become your cat’s new guardian. If you have multiple cats, ask yourself how closely bonded they are. Could they thrive if separated?

Talk to the people you have in mind and ask them if they would be willing to open their home to your cat in the event of your death.

Next, put pen to paper. A will is a valuable thing to have in place, pet guardian or not. Making your wishes clear in a will goes a long way to help your grieving family and friends should the worst happen. Your wishes for a caregiver should be clearly stated. Without naming one in your will, your cat’s future could be uncertain.

Matthew Urback, a Wills and Estates Lawyer in Toronto, notes that, “traditional Canadian law recognizes that pets are the equivalent of property. It is common for wills to have a residuary clause covering ‘everything else’ that isn’t explicitly referenced in the will. So, if a pet is not named specifically in

the will, it is likely that whoever receives the residuary will be the recipient of your pet.”

It’s the same in the United States, says Colleen Healy, an attorney in the Chicagoland area whose practice includes Trust and Estate Planning. “A pet could be considered part of its owner’s personal property if there is a specific bequest of the pet to an individual, or in the event there is no mention of the pet, it would be considered part of the residue of the trust.”

It’s natural to want to avoid what must seem like a very morbid conversation, but the alternative is to leave things to chance.

“It’s always a good idea to speak about your Estate wishes before it’s too late,” says Urback, “and pet care is no exception.” Certainly, the reading of your will is not an ideal time for a future caregiver to learn about their new responsibilities as a cat guardian.

Now… about those vet bills.

Have you ever heard of a Pet Trust? It might sound like something only the rich would establish, but even those of us with modest estates should consider setting up a pet trust as part of our wills.

“I think it makes sense to plan for ongoing care,” says

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Urback. “While not legally required, it seems only fair given the responsibility you’ve thrust upon a caregiver.”

“For a pet trust to be effective,” says Healy, “it has to be funded.” Just how much to set aside?

“So many things need to be considered,” says Healy. “Does the pet have health issues? Are meds part of its routine?

What about standards of living, such as grooming—once a month, or once a year?” Thinking through your routine bills and then adding a buffer for emergency care would be a good place to start.

Even beyond this, some set aside funds to compensate the caregiver—a means of thanking them for the time and effort that goes into a lifetime of pet care. That could be addressed in a will or trust.

“I’ve done allocations of x-amount of money to the person who would take the pets,” says Healy, “and often it’s a preference list of a few caregivers who would be asked. Typically, the people on that list are not aware there is a financial benefit until after they’ve accepted the responsibility.”

If you have strong feelings about how you want your cat cared for in the event of your death, consult a legal expert in your province or state and create or alter your will or estate so that your wishes are clear. Through planning, we can ensure that our cats won’t be lost in the shuffle and their care expenses are covered, should the worst come to pass, and we have to leave them.

As for my aunt’s cats, time was up—I needed a solution.

The cats weren’t closely bonded, and I suspected my aunt’s son might agree to take Felix. When I asked him, he didn’t hesitate to say yes. For my part, I was starting to bond with Eevee. I couldn’t stop staring at the photos I had taken of

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her. There was something pleading and almost desperate in her gaze. She was constantly on my mind and so was the promise I had made to Kate.

You’re probably wondering why I hadn’t stepped up to the plate already. Though my partner is a cat-man, I have extreme cat allergies—think hives, goopy eyes, coughing and wheezing, itchiness. That aside, we live in a tiny house along with two dogs and a very active toddler. For all of these reasons, I know I would have been the last person Kate would have chosen as a caregiver.

But, in the hall of the church following my aunt’s service, I pulled up a photo of Eevee on my iPhone and said to my partner, “You know… we could take her.”

He was aghast. “No way! You know I love the idea. But you’re going to torture yourself.”

He was right, and I knew it. But I reminded him of my promise and told him something in my bones told me that I needed to bring her home. And so we did.

It has been an adjustment. I take a lot of medicine, but I’ll be okay—and so will Eevee. She immediately changed the energy of our home. Watching her settle in and start to express her sweet, quirky personality has been a joy. She’s part of the family and always will be. Like my aunt, Eevee is a beauty and doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. And let me tell you… this cat sparkles.

It’s a happy ending, but under different circumstances, a cat in Eevee’s situation could have easily ended up languishing in a shelter or, worse yet, facing euthanasia if that shelter was overcrowded. The moral of the story is this: Love your cats and cherish them today, but don’t forget to plan for their tomorrow. Life, by nature, is uncertain. Your cats’ futures don’t need to be. n

STYLE

CAT Lover's GEAR The Modern Cat team's current fave finds!

Wear your love for cats proudly with this stylish ring and necklace set! These beautiful and unique pieces of jewelry from Mark Poulin are cast in sterling silver, and bear the message “Talks to Cats” on bluegreen enamel. Bonus: the necklace is also reversible, reading “cat person” on the back! MarkPoulin.com

Add a personal touch to your décor with a simple yet stunning digital portrait from Illustrate-it. Working from a photo of your cat, the artist manipulates texture, shapes and colour to create a unique portrait that will capture the character of your beloved pet for years to come. From $65, Illustrate-it.ca

Now you can catify even your underwear drawer with an adorable pair of panties from Oh My Cat. These witty undies come in Tabby and Persian versions too, so you can wear your cat love every day of the week! $26, OhMyCatShop.com

Want it!

Subtly show your cat love with a stunningly simple silver plated Cat Station necklace from Triple T Studios. The understated cat head silhouette design is perfect for every day wear while the addition of pavé crystals adds some sparkle to this 36” long piece. $40, Triple-T-Studios.com Love cats, rock music and puns? Then we have the perfect shirt for you! The flowy Dark Side of the Mew-n tank from Meow United will add just the right amount of kitsch and cute to your wardrobe. Exceptionally soft and designed with comfort in mind, this will become a staple. $32, MeowUnited.com

Although we couldn’t live without our feline companions, we definitely could live without some of the smells. Luckily, we have a solution for the pervasive eau de litterbox! David Oreck’s Pet Odor Eliminating Candles are natural soy and vegetable wax candles that effectively absorb and eliminate unwanted smells. $16, DavidOreckCandles.com

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The COOLEST Cat Event Ever Find your tribe, discover the coolest cat merch, and meet your favourite Instagram-famous kitties at CatCon—(think ComicCon’s cat-focused cousin)

By Connie Wilson

I

Q: CatCon fills a real hole, uniting feline fans in a modern and fun celebration of cats.

What was your inspiration and how did CatCon come to be?

I worked in entertainment and as a journalist for over 15 years in Hollywood. In 2014, I created Cat Art Show, with over 100 works by acclaimed and emerging artists. Over 4,500 people showed up in 4 days! After that I decided to expand beyond the art, and into the amazing products and trends I saw for cats and their people. That’s how CatCon was born!

Q: How has the event changed over the last three years?

Every year it’s gotten even bigger! We started out with

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PHOTOS COURTESY CATCON

magine an event where you can mingle with other cat people, shop unique cat-related merch, visit adoptable cats, meet and greet your favourite Instagram-famous kitties, attend seminars, take green-screen selfies while rocking cat ears, and so much more. Welcome to cat lover Susan Michals’s fourth annual CatCon, an event designed by and for cat people. We asked Susan some questions about the event and some of this year’s not-to-be-missed highlights. Mark your calendar, this is an event you’re not going to want to miss.

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12,000 attendees, and now we’re at 15,000. In terms of scope, we have gone into a lot of experiential territory— more photo booths, VR experiences, escape rooms—lots of fun stuff, all for the cat person. Plus we have grown in the number of exhibitors. This year there will be over 160.

Q: Now that the event is at a new venue, can event attendees bring their own cats with them to the show?

Unfortunately no, they can’t. Just imagine if even 10 percent of our 15,000 attendees brought their kitties to this—it would be mayhem! For the safety of all involved, we ask that your fur babies stay at home. It’s quieter there, I assure you.

Q: We love CatCon’s focus on rescue organizations and “adopt don’t shop” philosophy. How many cats were successfully adopted last year?

Last year 150 cats and kittens were adopted! In total, 327 adoptions have transpired at CatCon in three years.

This year we hope we can get even more into their forever homes!

Q: Can you tell us a bit about this year’s lineup?

It’s a great mix of returning and new talent. I wanted to bring on a number of emerging cats and humans, and offer them an opportunity to tell their stories as well.

Q: What’s been the most popular aspect of CatCon? Adoption is always super huge. After that, I’d have to say all the experiences we offer that are put on by our ameowzing sponsors. Every year they never cease to amaze me with their creativity, like World’s Best Cat Litter bringing in a Fiat onsite that you could win (with a toy kitty behind the wheel, no less) to Hill’s Science Diet’s hilarious green screen photo booth.

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Q: Will there be an opportunity to meet famous cats like Lil Bub? Which famous cat are you most excited to meet?

Of course! Bub returns for year four, and then we’ll have a number of newbies. Some names to drop (but by no means our complete list) include: Merlin Ragdoll, Sir Thomas Trueheart, and Waffles.

Q: What can attendees expect to learn or take away from their CatCon experience this year?

That CatCon truly is a one of a kind experience for the cat lover. Our seminars—as always— are information and education, under the guise of entertainment. Events like Men and Cats: a Love Story, and Fostering 101: how to be the Best Temp Meowmy are fun, and at the same time, attendees will leave with newfound knowledge. Plus we have a bang up group of exhibitors this year—I guarantee there’s going to be merch you never even knew existed for you and your beloved feline! n

CatCon takes place Saturday August 4th and Sunday 5th, 2018 at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, CA. Find out more and buy your tickets at catconworldwide.com.

“I INVENTED THAT!”

A robotic litter box that does the scooping for you saves cat parents from a universally disliked chore By Rose Frosek “The number one thing we hear from people who buy a Litter-Robot is some variation of ‘It changed my life,’ shares Lori Bates, Litter-Robot’s Content Marketing Manager.

“Customers have even gone so far as to say the product ‘saved my marriage.’

The online reviews are equally positive. Reviewer Sara O., who sent the Litter-Robot III Open Air to her sister as a housewarming gift, comments, “My sister sent a thank you but I could tell she thought it was a little strange, something like giving a toilet as a gift. Over the next week as her cats started using it, she texted me it was the best gift she ever received.”

Litter-Robot is the brainchild of Brad Baxter, Litter-Robot’s President and Inventor. His “ah-ha” moment was provided courtesy of his two cats who weren't consistently going in the litter box. Brad graciously concedes it wasn’t their fault—he wasn’t keeping the litter boxes as clean as he should have been.

It was while cleaning up after them that Brad started to think about ways to automate litter box scooping.

Brad hit upon a rotational concept, like a carousel, that would lift and sift the litter via gravity. But upon doing a patent search, he found a similar, but better concept overall. This is where many would hang up their hat, but Brad forged ahead.

“Instead of getting discouraged,” he says, “I contacted the inventor and within a few months we had signed a license

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This x litter bos clean itself!

agreement and I proceeded to expand on the original patented design and prototypes.”

Although the basic concept was solid, there were design challenges around cat sensing and total clump removal that Brad solved. Getting it to market involved his parents taking out a second mortgage on their home in exchange for a share in the company. This being 1999, there was also a learning curve around then-new e-commerce and Brad’s direct-to-consumer business model. “Not knowing any better and not understanding the need for strong marketing, the process of 'going to market' was very slow and organic,” Brad concedes. “We were always under capitalized and we lost a lot of money during the first five years of the business,” he admits. But once they started to turn a profit and could invest more in marketing, the tide turned and they haven't looked back.

“For me, the greatest thing about being an entrepreneur is the independence and control over one's destiny and the ability or freedom to be creative every day in all aspects of the business,” Brad enthuses. “There were many tenuous periods but when a venture like this is ultimately successful, it's extremely satisfying.”

Not one to rest on his laurels, Brad continues to innovate.

The latest feature is the new Connect app, which allows for remote monitoring and control. Wherever you are, you can view the waste drawer level, get notified that it's time to empty the drawer, and even monitor usage stats for insights into your cat's health—a sudden increase in use, for example, could be an indication that your cat has a urinary tract infection and a visit to the vet is in order. Pretty nifty stuff! n

PHOTOS THE BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SANCTUARY

CATS & FIV:

Dispelling the misconceptions and finding these deserving cats homes

By Tracey Tong

A

fter failing to find a home at a rescue in Kirkland, Washington, a friendly grey long-haired cat named Winter found her way to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, the largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals and wildlife in the United States. But even there, Winter remained overlooked; though very popular at the sanctuary, she failed to find a forever home.

This is when Jenn Corsun, the manager of Cat World at the Sanctuary, stepped up to give the FIV-positive cat the home she so deserved.

“I’d had my eye on her for a while,” Jenn admits. Winter, who is also incontinent, is now living happily in Jenn’s home with 11 other cats.

“I’ve been taking my work home with me for 20 years,” Jenn half-jokes. “I try to concentrate on cats that wouldn’t otherwise find a home. It’s very rewarding work.”

One of Jenn’s passions is dispelling misinformation surrounding FIV-positive cats. By doing so, she hopes she can help more cats like Winter find a home.

FIV—Feline Immunodeficiency Virus—is a feline-only lentivirus. First discovered in 1986, FIV weakens a cat's immune system, which means that a cat with FIV is more prone to getting infections such as upper respiratory infections, ringworm, and dental disease than a cat without the virus.

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But please don’t let that scare you. There are many misconceptions surrounding FIV, among them that an FIV-positive cat should not come in contact with cats without FIV. Jenn, who is as aware as she is educated, has no worries that Winter will spread the FIV to her other, FIV-negative cats. Once thought to be deadly and highly contagious, it has since been found to be neither. For one, it is not as easily spread as once believed.

An infected mother cat can transfer FIV antibodies to her kittens, which may test positive from their mother’s antibodies until they have cleared them from their systems, which happens by six months of age. Kittens should be re-tested for antibodies at a later date to see if they are still infected. But the most common route of infection is a deep bite wound from an FIV-positive cat to another cat.

“If cats don’t fight, then the risk of transmission is extremely low,” says Jenn. This is why FIV-positive cats can live with FIV-negative cats, as long as they don’t show signs of aggression.

Vets used to recommend euthanasia for FIV-positive cats. Similarly, shelters used to routinely euthanize all cats that tested positive for FIV antibodies. Today, FIV is not considered the death sentence it once was, and it is known that many cats can live long and healthy lives with FIV. Despite this, “there is still a stigma around FIV cats,” says Jenn. “We’re working hard to get rid of these stigmas and it’s becoming a little easier now, but it’s still misunderstood.”

Part of it is that there is confusion between FIV and feline leukemia, which is a more serious and lethal illness that drastically shortens a cat’s life span. “If a kitten is born with leukemia, its life span is about 18 months, while cats can live to an old age with FIV,” Jenn says. FIV is so slow to progress that many FIV-positive cats die of old age.

Perhaps another reason for the stigma is that FIV is the same class of virus as HIV. “I think that scares people as well, but FIV can only be transferred from cat to cat, and not to humans or to other animals.”

Diagnosed by a blood test which looks for the presence of antibodies to the virus, FIV can be detected as early as two to four weeks after exposure, but cats with FIV may not show any symptoms for years. Symptoms can include enlarged lymph nodes, fever, anemia, weight loss, poor appetite, diarrhea, inflammation of the eye, dental disease, skin redness or hair loss, wounds that don’t heal, sneezing, discharge from the eyes or nose and frequent urination.

There is no specific antiviral treatment for FIV. Treatment focuses mainly on extending the asymptomatic period or, if symptoms have set in, easing the secondary effects of the virus. Although a veterinarian may prescribe treatments, including medication for secondary infections, fluid and electrolyte replacement therapy, antiinflammatory drugs, immune-support supplements and parasite control, cats that have tested positive don’t require special care other than the owner needing to watch them more closely if they have a cold. That said, if the disease remains unchecked, cats with FIV can develop various forms of cancer, blood diseases or kidney failure. “They can have a good quality of life,” Jenn says. “We just have to treat illnesses as they arise.”

Of the 550 cats they currently house, Best Friends has 224 cats requiring 565 individual treatments—which range from giving a pill to subcutaneous fluids—daily.

Perhaps surprisingly, the most medically needy cats are not the FIV-positive cats.

“FIV positive cats are not the highest maintenance cats out there by far,” Jenn says. “The highest maintenance cats are the incontinent cats… and we have some behavioural cats that take more care than FIV cats as a group. FIV-positive cats do not require more care than non-FIV-positive cats.” moderncat.com

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FIV-positive cats at the sancutary.

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

F

ormed more than 30 years ago, the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary was created by a group of people who saw that more than 17 million animals—starting, of course, with the older, sick and special needs animals—were being euthanized in shelters every year. Due in part to the organization’s tireless work, that number has dropped to 1.5 million annually. Still, that’s nearly 4,100 dogs and cats that are killed in U.S. shelters every day, so there’s clearly a lot more work to be done.

Today, the Sanctuary has 1,700 animals in its care at any time, including cats, dogs, birds, horses, pigs, donkeys, and wildlife.

The non-profit animal welfare society owns nearly 3,700 magical acres in Kanab, Utah, and leases an additional 17,000 acres of state and federal land to house all their rescue animals.

Although Cat World makes up only a part of the Sanctuary, it’s not small by any means. Perhaps best described as sprawling, it takes up 10 buildings—all housing cats exclusively. Cat World houses 550 cats at any given time, and also has an on-site vet clinic that allows the organization to do medical

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procedures like spay and neuters and dental procedures. Currently, Cat World has around 60 FIV-positive cats.

With its special needs capabilities, including the ability to care for bottle babies, Best Friends works collaboratively with other groups from all over the country—and in some cases, all over the world—taking in animals that rescue groups and smaller shelters are not able to care for.

Lately, Jenn is finding that Cat World is getting fewer requests to take on FIV-positive cats.

“I’m hoping that’s because other groups are figuring out how to get those cats adopted, or because people understand them better,” says Jenn. “It makes me very happy that we are getting fewer FIV-positive cats.”

For more on the Sanctuary or to adopt a cat, go to bestfriends.org/sanctuary.

PHOTOS THE BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SANCTUARY

Protection of cats from FIV is simple. Because any free-roaming cat is susceptible to the disease, owners are encouraged to keep their pets indoors. Although FIV vaccines are available, Best Friends does not recommend it, as it is not effective for all cats, and after the cat is vaccinated for FIV, it will test positive for the virus. If that cat is lost and ends up in a shelter, it may be euthanized because of a false positive test.

Jenn hopes this won’t be the case for long.

“I think education (about FIV) is improving,” says Jenn. “I think the more educated people are about FIV, the less afraid they become.”

At Best Friends, Jenn recently formalized a new policy regarding FIV-positive cats at Cat World. Cats are cautiously and slowly moved from FIV-dedicated rooms into the general population. “Hopefully, we’ll have data that these cats have been living together and that there has been no transmission,” she says. If that’s the case, the organization will be spreading the word in order to increase awareness of how the disease is spread.

She wants people to know that if FIV-positive cats are gentle with other cats, their potential homes are limitless (with a “nice, slow introduction, as for all cats, of course,” she says).

At the very least, they can be adopted to live as single cats in a home, or to live with other FIV cats. Most of all, there is no need for an FIV-positive cat to languish in a shelter.

“I think anyone who loves cats and is able to give a cat good home can adopt an FIV-positive cat,” Jenn says. “There are still a lot of FIV-positive cats in shelters. I would encourage people to give a second look to an FIV-positive cat. Just because a cat is FIV-positive shouldn’t deter them.” n

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Connie’s Book Club Curl up with a good cat and a good book

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CONNIE WILSON’S SELECTION OF MUST-READS.

Escape Claws Bono: The Amazing Story of a Rescue Cat Who Inspired a Community Fostering a cat can change your life. Take it from Helen Brown. She opened her heart and home to a special needs cat who became homeless following Hurricane Sandy. The experience completely transformed both of their lives. This wonderfully heartwarming recounting of love, hope, and selflessness is all about new beginnings, perfect for anyone seeking inspiration or a fresh start!

Cat Castles If you are a crafty person and your cat loves to hang out in cardboard boxes, then “Cat Castles” is the how-to guide for you! This super fun book, chock-full of step-by-step DIY projects, will help you take cardboard boxes to the next level by transforming them into amazingly creative habitats for your best furry pal. The all-ages projects in this imaginative construction guide range from lofty castles to trendy food trucks, allowing you to flex your creative muscles. Your cat will feel like a king when he sees that his simple boxes have been magically changed into luxurious palaces!

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Dive into this page-turner of a mystery, full of clues and cats!

When Lara Caphart returns to her hometown to reconnect with her estranged Aunt Fran, all she expects is to take care of her aunt and make sure Fran isn’t bullied too much by wealthy businessman Theo Barnes, who is after her house. But when Lara comes across a Ragdoll cat that resembles her childhood pet, the cat leads her to the body of Theo Barnes—who appears to have been murdered! Now, in order to clear her Aunt’s name, as well as her own, she needs to solve the mystery of who killed Theo… and this mysterious cat seems to be leaving behind clues. Who could have committed such a heinous crime? And could this cat possibly be the ghost of Lara’s old cat Blue? Full of excitement and intrigue, this is a perfect mystery for a cozy evening in!

How to Think Like a Cat Bestselling French author Stephane Garnier has figured out what so many self-help books have not: that to find out how to live your best life, all you need to do is follow your cat’s example! Intelligent, selfassured, charismatic, and content, our amazing feline friends have mastered the art of life, interacting with the world with both wisdom and grace. In this fabulous, funny, and inspiring guide, Garnier teaches us exactly how to think like our cats do, leading the way to a life of comfort, confidence, and inner peace.

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STAR CAT

Black Cats Are Awesome black c ats ru les!

t a C r a t S ER WINN

*

Thanks to our amazing Star Cat Contest sponsor Sure Petcare!

Our Star Cat Photo Contest Winner is on a mission to showcase black cats and boost adoption rates

By Rose Frosek | Photographed by Liz Stavrinides

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E

rin Rich and her black cat Marten are on a mission to show the world how awesome black cats are.

Erin herself is a convert. At a cat show, en route to check out the Maine Coons, Erin happened upon a Safe Cat Foundation Rescue booth. “There was a cage full of orange kittens, which I went straight to,” she recollects. “Then we saw a cage with a single black kitten. Why was he all by himself? I assume to showcase his awesomeness.”

Every kitten Erin had ever held had been “a tornado of teeth and Velcro mittens.” But Marten flopped over in her arms like nothing could bother him and purred up a storm.

It was love at first sight—the kitten that would come to be called Marten had found his forever home.

Marten’s route to budding social media star was organic.

Enamoured, Erin was borderline spamming her Facebook friends with kitten photos. Figuring that would get old quickly, she started a profile for him. He quickly amassed a following beyond Erin and her husband’s friends. Then, in August 2016, the day after she was laid off from her marketing job of twelve years, she decided to make an Instagram account, pulling out her good camera and taking her photos of Marten more seriously. “I’ve had an incredible time renewing my love of photography through photo shoots with such a fun and beautiful subject,” she enthuses, adding, “You can make a difference in people’s and animals’ lives, even if your route seems like an unconventional one.”

Along the way, she’s become a passionate advocate for black cat adoption. “From my experience, black cats are the sweetest, smartest, and most loyal cats out there. All cats deserve good homes, but there’s just something special about having a black cat in your home. With a large percentage of cats entering shelters being black cats [according to the RSPCA, black cats are the hardest to adopt out in shelters], it’s very important to not pass them up just because of their colour. Euthanasia rates for black cats are high, and we need to try to get those numbers down. Some

Erin Rich & Marten

studies even show that black cats are often healthier than other colours. Plus, black goes with everything!”

We couldn’t agree more. Follow @peculiarpanther to keep up with Marten’s life, and @blackcatsofig for your dose of black cat fun and education. n

Marten’s Favourite Cat Products • Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat litter: “We have tried just about every cat litter out there, and Precious Cat has been our favourite.”

• Marten absolutely loves wand toys. The only problem with them is that we have yet to find one that he doesn’t destroy within a few play sessions.

• Catnip Minis by SFMeow: “Marten’s not a huge fan of catnip but the catnip minis by SFMeow get him every time.”

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150

$

Multi-pet homes can run into a host of problems at mealtime. Whether it be an overweight kitty, a thieving pup or a prescription diet, the microchip reading pet feeder from Sure Petcare can help! This feeder only opens when an authorized pet tries to eat and closes again when they leave. It also helps keep the food fresher, longer. SurePetcare.com

Look

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Make grooming less of a chore and more about bonding with the awesome twosided Furbliss brush. Soft silicone bristles gently massage while you brush your cat, deshedding and exfoliating to leave your cat’s coat smooth, silky, and shiny. It can be used wet or dry and the backside even removes fur from your furniture, clothing, and cars. A must have! Furbliss.com

WHAT WE FOUND! Cool finds for cats & the people who love them

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Handcrafted with love, Sweet Pickles Designs’ huge selection of adorably dapper bow ties will definitely leave your cat spoiled for choice! We love the bright and beautiful floral fabric of The Botanical Kitty cat bow tie, but with so many awesome patterns it’s definitely hard to choose. SweetPicklesDesigns.com

Interested in the benefits of a raw diet but not too excited about all the prep work? Primal Pet Foods does all the mixing, measuring, and chopping for you with their Raw Frozen Feline Formula—all you have to do is put it in the bowl!

Available in eight different delicious flavours your cat will love! PrimalPetFoods.com

FROM

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Dress to impress with Furocious Kitty’s handmade cat collars, featuring a curved safety release buckle and a D-ring with attached bell. With TONS of playful pattern options—from galactic swirls to cute fishies—your cats are sure to find a collar that matches their unique personality! Etsy.com/Shop/FurociousKitty

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$

Give your indoor cat a safe taste of the outdoors with a catio! Catio Spaces takes the guesswork out of building a catio with their downloadable DIY Catio Plans that include instructions, a material and tool list, and detailed diagrams. There are designs available for your windows, deck, patio or yard—the possibilities for cat-venture are endless! CatioSpaces.com

Must-haves for you & your cat

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Must-haves for you & your cat

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Crossword key for page 16

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Aw w w

UPSIDE DOWN CATS! Turn that frown upside down with thsee feline cuties!

Phred Jake

Ash

Mewsette

Lucy

Just hanging around!

Hazel

Lafitte Stassi

Allister

Munchkin

For a behind-the-scenes look at what we’re up to in the MC offices, the latest breaking stories and videos, cool contests, events, & exclusive giveaways, become a fan of Modern Cat on Facebook & follow us on Twitter, Instagram, & Pinterest. Go to facebook.com/moderncatmagazine, twitter.com/moderncatmag instagram.com/modern_cat_mag & pinterest.com/moderncatmag.

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