Category Archives: Before you adopt

Before you adopt, cat facts, funny, health benefits, love, shelter information, Uncategorized

Life is better with a Cat – an ADULT CAT that is!

UNLESS, you want claws on your legs, claw marks on your arms, and four kitten legs crawling up your very expensive curtains! And, don’t forget about the dancing sessions kittens like to do at 3:00am in the morning on your bed! WOW-MEOW If you would prefer a feline with lots more manners and definitely more calm (and less paw prints on your ummm curtains), then an Adult Cat is what you crave.

There are so many PURRfect reasons to adopt an adult cat.

They’re not needy. Cats love their independence and privacy. You can leave them home for hours and not feel guilty about it. Kittens, on the other hand, do need a certain amount of socialization and human interaction. But, don’t confuse kitty neediness with cat kneading. Some cats will perform this quirky but common behavior. It is also called “making biscuits” where the kneading is a motion made by pushing in and out with their paws, alternating between right and left, with their claws retracted or extended. This is often accompanied with a contented purring sound, and if the paws have claws extended on your leg, maybe a human yowl will also accompany cat kneading (lol meow).

At the shelter, you will often see cats kneading each other. Here are cats Rolo and Gody.

What you see is what you get. Their personalities are pretty much set as an adult cat. When you visit them at the shelter at El Refugio Hogar Animal Costa Ballena (or your local animal shelter), you will see some cats who want to cuddle with humans right away. Other felines might actually prefer felines MORE than humans. You will also surely see felines that are very playful, while others will observe humans from a distance being more timid and reserved. But kittens are pretty much all the same. They are adorable, crazy, and funny toddlers at their kitten ages. Not until they are adults, will kittens show their true PURRsonalities.

Adult Cats are better with kids. Adult cats often have more patience and tolerance with kids (not all kids though!). Kittens, on the other paw, have less patience and tend to scratch and bite until they have learned good manners. But remember, even with adult cats it is always best to have an adult human supervising young kids with cats.

Magica will always play nice with your kids. She is available for adoption at El Refugio Costa Ballena.

Good cat karma will come to you! While every shelter cat and kitten deserve a loving home, often kittens are adopted first, leaving more and more adult cats left in the shelter. Knowing that you helped give a shelter cat a loving home and a second chance at life will definitely bring good karma into your life.

Life is definitely better with a Cat – an Adult Cat that is!

Cheers,

Norman

Why do cats always get their way? They are very purr-suasive!

Don’t forget to spay & neuter your cats & dogs.  There can be too much of a good thing!  There’s only so much catnip to go around. 

Cats and wildlife live longer when cats stay indoors. 

FELNE FAVORITE OF THE DAY

Mickey

Mickey at El Refugio Costa Ballena is the sweetest cat ever. He is a Tuxedo Cat, which are known for their gorgeous coats. He is friendly and happy. He is often seen near the water bowls at the shelter with one paw in the dish! He is going to make a family very happy with his unconditional love and purrsonality.

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Before you adopt, cat facts, funny, shelter information

There can be too much of a GOOD thing…

I know, that is a hard one for me to stomach too. You may have already guessed it, but I like to eat. Everything just tastes soo good. And, if I haven’t tried it, I want to try it. And, what better way to try something than with my mouth!

I don’t know why my human got so worked up the other day, but really, if you are going to put some huge, yummy, smelly treats in the dogs’ bowls and then leave for a few seconds, what do you expect to happen? Seriously human! Did I not train you properly? (How to Cat-Proof your home.)

Okay, all kitten aside, yes, the Heartgard Plus chews were for my huge canine brothers, and yes, they weigh a tad bit more than me (I weigh a svelte 4kg – okay, maybe a teeny tiny more), and my canine brothers weigh 25kg and 40kg. But, whose counting? Although, I guess it does matter when determining treat size. By the reaction from my human, you would have thought I ate the last bit of catnip in the entire world. Now, that would have been a true Cat-astrophe. I tried to calm her down and tell her I was feline fine by wrapping my tail around her leg. I even gave her a few head bunts to remind her that it was almost dinnertime. Instead, she went CATcrazy, she was hiss-terical! She screamed! She started looking under every piece of furniture to see if she could find the treats. I was purr-ty surprised, and maybe a little hopeful she might find some more for me! She knows me better than that though. I do Not waste food.

She started talking into the small black square that she is always snapping at me with while saying “Smile”. (First thing, call your Veterinarian if you think your cat’s been poisoned.) Whatever that black thing is, it must have started talking back to her, and she finally calmed down. She kept asking “Is this an emergency?” “Is this an overdose?” “What do I need to watch out for?” These are all good questions in a true emergency, but I was purr-fectly fine. (Top Cat Poisons.) I just ate a tad bit more than I should have (by oh, I don’t know – 3XXXXX). I did give her about 10x more the usual surprises in my litter box the following day. So purr-haps I ate something that I shouldn’t have, purr-haps.

There you have it, there can be too much of a good thing – when it comes to tasty medicine treats that is! Don’t forget to Cat-Proof your house, know the Cat Poisons, and have your Veterinarian and the Animal Poison Control Number in your black square.

Cheers,

Norman the Cat

JOKE: What do cat’s wear to bed?
Pawjamas

Don’t forget to spay & neuter your cats & dogs.  There can be too much of a good thing!  There’s only so much catnip to go around. 

Cats and wildlife live longer when cats stay indoors. 

FELNE FAVORITE OF THE DAY

TRASH BIN BABIES. Four of these babies were left in a box underneath El Refugio Costa Ballena’s trash bin. What if it would have been trash day – oh my!! Thankfully, a shelter volunteer found the kittens still alive. Now, they are safe, well, and absolutely beautiful and available for adoption.

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Before you adopt, cat facts, health benefits, life lessons, Uncategorized

I am Proud to be called an Indoor Cat!

I am an Indoor cat. I am not ashamed. I am Proud to be called an Indoor Cat.

Us Cats do get a bad rap when it comes to outdoor living. We have a strong, natural prey instinct, that yes, includes prey! Prey really is anything that wiggles, or scurries, or flies. Did you know, loose cats are estimated to kill hundreds of millions of birds each year!

What are the benefits of being an OUTDOOR Cat? Well, the biggest benefit is probably that your feline will be more trim because he is often the one being HUNTED! Depending on where the cat calls home, there could be fox, coyotes, snakes, alligators, and even the neighbor’s dog hunting your cat! Oh boy, if this isn’t enough to bring your cat indoors…I don’t know what is.

What are the benefits of being an INDOOR Cat? There are sooo many! But the best reason is…

YOU will have many many more years with your feline friend. An Outdoor cat will (if she is lucky) live just 2 years – while an indoor cat could live over 17 years! Now, that is a lot of kitty kisses, purr healing magic, and cat snuggles. Just think, I am almost 3 years old. If I lived outside, I would probably be on my 2nd, 3rd, or maybe my last life! I would not even have met my human family yet (big double meow sigh).

Do I miss outdoor living? Not at all, I haven’t been there (ha ha). But, like all cats, us Indoor Cats need exercise, mental stimulation, and ways to be a “cat”. So, we need things like scratching posts, toys, perches to rest on, and other cats to play with. Even a friendly family dog will do (sometimes)! Plus, of course, we need our humans to interact with us on a daily basis. If you are thinking of bringing home a new feline family member, and an indoor one – thank you!, here are some tips to get your home (and your family) ready.

If you still insist on having an Outdoor Cat, please consider the following:

  1. Keep your feline updated on all necessary vaccinations (you will need lots more for an outdoor cat)
  2. Bring your feline indoors at night (every night!), and most importantly – consider keeping your cat indoors all of the time (hey, can’t blame a cat for trying).
  3. Also, when you adopt a cat from a shelter (thank you!), and plan to have your cat be an outdoor cat (although, I would love you to reconsider), please keep your cat Indoors Only for the first 3 months! A cat needs this amount of time to learn where “home” is. Unfortunately, I have heard recent stories of adopted cats from shelters sometimes getting lost and not finding their way back to their new home or even running back to the shelter (where they called home), because they just weren’t ready to be outside yet. Please give your new cat time to feel comfortable in your home. Some cats just take a little longer than others.

So my Feline Friends – Stand Tall and Be Proud to be called an Indoor Cat.

Cheers,

Norman

Cats and wildlife live longer when cats stay indoors. 

Don’t forget to spay & neuter your cats & dogs.  There can be too much of a good thing!  There’s only so much catnip to go around. 

FELNE FAVORITE OF THE DAY

Cadbury at El Refugio Costa Ballena

Cadbury

Hi, my name is CADBURY. My siblings and I were found at a bus stop when we were tiny kittens. Thankfully an El Refugio volunteer saw us and brought us to the shelter. 

I am now a young male cat.  If you like sweets, I’m your cat!  With my purrs, my eye kisses, and my paw tickles, you will be the happiest human ever. I love getting petted on my back too! Let’s make chocolate together!  I am waiting for you at El Refugio. xoxo Cadbury

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Before you adopt, cat facts, health benefits, Uncategorized

I’ve Adopted a Cat, now what? I’m so glad you asked! Ten tips to prepare your home for your new feline.

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on becoming an even better, more amazing human being!!! Bringing a cat into your family will not only make your kids healthier, but also will make you healthier, less stressed, and definitely more attractive (mainly because you are healthier & less stressed!! – DOUBLE ME-OW LOL!)

First Tip. Bring a cat carrier for the ride to pick up your new cat. Us cats don’t like moving vehicles – they are scary, they are fast, and they are smelly. Having your new cat in a carrier will help with some of the anxiety that will most likely occur when in a scary, fast, and smelly car.

Second Tip.  Have a nice, “safe” room for your cat. It doesn’t have to be a suite like I have, with an amazing mountain view no less!  But, a room that has a litter box, bowls for food and water, a toy or two please, a scratching post of course, and a shelf or somewhere high for your cat to perch or rest. 

Third Tip for us sound sensitive cats (which are most of us!).  If your feline friend chooses to hide for awhile, no worries, let him hide. He will come out eventually. He is just getting used to all of the new smells and sounds.

Fourth Tip, although I can’t believe I need to share this one. The litter box and food and water bowls should NOT be in the same area. You wouldn’t want to do your business where you eat would you? We aren’t talking about dogs here, us cats are refined and have manners! 

Fifth not so messy Tip. If you can, use the same brand of litter that your feline friend had at her animal shelter. You don’t have to use the same brand forever, but just until she acclimates. You will be REALLY glad you listened to me on this one!

Sixth tummy Tip. Also, use the same food she was eating at the shelter. When starting to introduce a new food, it should be gradual. Our tummies can be sensitive at times.

Seventh fun Tip. A toy or two or three please!  Although, the best toys are toys that my humans play with me. 

I LUV my stuffed animals to play with!

Eighth super fun Tip. A cat tree would be awesome for your new feline. But, if you don’t have a cat tree available, a tall shelf in your cat’s new room would be helpful for them to have a place to jump up and feel safe.

Ninth very important Tip. If you are bringing a feline friend home to a home that already has a cat or dog, please be patient. While most of us felines get along well at the animal shelter, being in a new place can be very stressful for both resident animals and new cats. It may take only days but could take weeks or even months to have them all get along. The best introductions are very brief, and monitored interactions with humans involved.

Tenth very VERY important Tip. Never let your dog chase your cat – very uncool!  Also, when you are not able to supervise the new feline family member with your other household animals, please keep them separated. Honestly, we might never become friends, but we can surely coexist.

Oh, and one more thing, get ready to BE AMAZED, at all things FELINE AND FABULOUS!

Cheers,

Norman

“I had been told that the training procedure with cats was difficult. It’s not. Mine had me trained in two days.” – Bill Dana

Don’t forget to spay & neuter your cats & dogs.  There can be too much of a good thing!  There’s only so much catnip to go around. 

Cats and wildlife live longer when cats stay indoors. 

FELNE FAVORITE OF THE DAY

Prince at El Refugio

PRINCE

Hi, my name is PRINCE.  I am an adult male. I am a little shy around other cats, but I LOVE my humans. I love ear scratches and just hanging out.  Let’s chill out together!  Come meet me at El Refugio. xo Prince

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Before you adopt, cat facts, love, shelter information, Uncategorized

Kitten or Cat? Yes!!

Well, you have decided to adopt a shelter feline friend – congratulations! You are now a part of the Select SECRET group of beautiful humans called “Cat Lovers & Friends“, along with millions of others, but whose counting. All us shelter felines are so glad to have you in our midst. You will forever be loved, adored, and amused. Seriously, you will be!

Okay, so back to your question. Should you adopt a shelter Kitten or a shelter Cat. Here are a few questions to help you decide.

Professor Norman

Do you want hours of AMUSEMENT? Then Yes, adopt a kitten, because amused you will be! BUT, Catster suggests adopting two kittens because it will be the same amount of work, plus 2x the fun, and emotionally healthier for the kittens. They will also entertain each other preventing less possible destruction to your house (lol). Plus, it does seem that the introductions are easier when bringing a kitten (or 2!) into a household that already has a cat or dog.

Kittens Rosario & Ramona at El Refugio

But hold on now, before you go adopt Kit & Kat or Cheech & Chong or Sonny & Cher or (okay, I couldn’t resist!), answer these questions for me. Are you Patient? Are you quick on your feet? Are you home to supervise your new kittens? BECAUSE, kittens, which are hard to resist, and so dang adorable, don’t know the difference initially between chairs & scratching posts or electrical cords & play toys. They will need some training and supervision. Also, they often tend to “magically appear underfoot“. At the shelter, the humans are told to “shuffle” rather than walk when kittens are on the loose! But with some gentle supervision and kitten-proofing of your home, you will be all set!

On the other hand, are you LAZY? Ha ha, just kidding, but are you looking for a feline that is already trained to use the litter box, the couch as a bed not as a scratching post, and the drapes to keep the sun out not as a climbing tree? Then, an older cat is just your style! Plus, a cat tends to know how to entertain himself when left alone. But, make sure to leave him some fun cat toys.

Also, when adopting a shelter Cat, you can choose a personality. When you go to the shelter, sit with the cats for awhile. Observe and see which cat CHOOSES YOU! Now, at El Refugio Animal Shelter, it is pretty dang amazing, the shelter cats are not enclosed in cat condos or cages, but roaming about in the shelter’s very large rooms. Okay, well, mostly snoozing, depending on the time of day. Any who, you will be able to see which cats are lap cats, or are very independent, or playful, or very lazy. And, just ask the shelter volunteers about the cats. They will gladly give you valuable personality information on each of them. Also, before you bring home your new shelter Cat, read my 10 tips to prepare your home for awesomeness.

Bandita (aka Bandit) at El Refugio

Regardless, if you adopt a Cat or a Kitten (or 2!), you will be saving a feline’s life. Because when you adopt a shelter cat, a vacancy is opened at the shelter to save another feline! Also, you will be giving a home to a well deserved feline. You will also be filling your home (and your heart) with amusement, entertainment, and lots of FURever love. No one should go through this life or any of their other 8 lives (oh, that is just us cats I hear) without the love of a feline.

From all us shelter felines and members of the Select SECRET group of beautiful humans called “Cat Lovers & Friends“, WE THANK YOU!! You are PURRFECTLY awesome!!

Cheers,

Norman

“‘We’ll be Friends Forever, won’t we, Pooh?’ asked Piglet.

‘Even longer,’ Pooh answered.” — Winnie-the-Pooh

Don’t forget to spay & neuter your cats & dogs.  There can be too much of a good thing!  There’s only so much catnip to go around. 

Cats and wildlife live longer when cats stay indoors. 

FELNE FAVORITE OF THE DAY

Bach and Chopin at El Refugio in Costa Ballena, Costa Rica

Bach
Chopin

“A kitten is in the animal world, what a rosebud is in the garden – Robert Sowthey”

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Before you adopt, cat facts, Uncategorized

My favorite 4 new words – “My Very Own Home”

So, its been 3 weeks since I came to my new home. Oh, I still love the sound of those four sweet words, MY VERY OWN HOME!  Now don’t get me wrong, the El Refugio Animal Shelter was a nice shelter, with wonderful human volunteers, and other beautiful feline friends, but MY VERY OWN HOME – yes, I love it!  Days filled with napping on my own sofa.

I love my comfy sofa for catnaps!

A comfy place to sit high and watch the birds all day. And a cozy place to watch the sun rise from the mountain and then watch the sun set through the trees. 

Its going to be a nice day!
Its a beautiful sunset tonight!

Oh ME-OW, can you hear my purrs. They are contagious. Remember, feline purrs are healing – free medicine for your heart AND for your soul.  

Now, in these 3 weeks I have taught my humans and my new dog roommates ten very important lessons. I thought it would be good to share these FREE valuable lessons with you for when you adopt a feline friend for your family. 

Okay, so what are some important things to do before bringing home a new purrfectly extraordinary feline? I am so glad you asked!

First lesson. Bring a cat carrier for the ride to pick up your new cat. Us cats don’t like moving vehicles – they are scary, they are fast, and they are smelly. Having your new cat in a carrier will help with some of the anxiety that will most likely occur when in a scary, fast, and smelly car.

Second homey lesson.  Have a nice, “safe” room for your cat. It doesn’t have to be a suite like I have, with an amazing mountain view no less!  But, a room that has a litter box, bowls for food and water, a toy or two please, a scratching post of course, and a shelf or somewhere high for your cat to perch or rest.   

Third lesson for us sound sensitive cats (which are most of us!).  If your feline friend chooses to hide for awhile, no worries, let him hide. He will come out eventually. He is just getting used to all of the new smells and sounds.

For example, I live in the southern coast of Costa Rica in MY VERY OWN HOME. My humans tell me that I am in a rainforest with mountains all around us. So, let me tell you a not so funny story. The first night I was here, guess what I was introduced to? I was introduced to a HUGE, HAIRY, black, did I say HUGE animal. Well, I was introduced to his sound. My humans call them Howler Monkeys. 

Thankfully, their home is in the trees at the other end of our property. But, I could see him, I knew he was there. Did I say he was HUGE!  And, his howl, it was nothing like the cat howls or dog howls I am used to at the shelter. And, boy, some of my old feline friends and shelter dogs, they were howlers!  Okay, I digress. My human tells me we are safe because the monkeys stay in the trees. I am definitely going to keep my eyes on them! But, again, double ME-OW WOW, they are loud. If you don’t believe me, check out this video of them https://youtu.be/xxzbqmFkXwU. 

Fourth basic lesson, although I can’t believe I need to share this one. The litter box and food and water bowls should NOT be in the same area. You wouldn’t want to do your business where you eat would you? We aren’t talking about dogs here, us cats are refined and have manners! 

Fifth not so messy lesson. If you can, use the same brand of litter that your feline friend had at her animal shelter. You don’t have to use the same brand forever, but just until she acclimates. You will be REALLY glad you listened to me on this one!

Sixth tummy lesson. Also, use the same food she was eating at the shelter. When starting to introduce a new food, it should be gradual. Our tummies can be sensitive at times.

Seventh fun lesson. A toy or two or three please!  Although, the best toys are toys that my humans play with me. 

Eighth super fun lesson. A cat tree would be awesome for your new feline. But, if you don’t have a cat tree available, a tall shelf in your cat’s new room would be helpful for them to have a place to jump up and feel safe. 

Ninth very important lesson. If you are bringing a feline friend home to a home that already has a cat or dog, please be patient. While most of us felines get along well at the animal shelter, being in a new place can be very stressful for both resident animals and new cats. It may take only days but could take weeks or even months to have them all get along. The best introductions are very brief, and monitored interactions with humans involved.

Tenth very VERY important lesson. Never let your dog chase your cat – very uncool!  Also, when you are not able to supervise the new feline family member with your other household animals, please keep them separate. Honestly, we might never become friends, but we can surely coexist.

Norman and Oscar Co-Existing!

Now, its time to watch the sunset before my catnap. So, remember, before you bring home that purrfect extraordinary feline family member, follow these 10 very important lessons. The love of your life is waiting for you at your nearest animal shelter.

MY VERY OWN HOME!

Cheers,

Norman

“If there were a universal sound depicting peace, I would surely vote for the purr. Barbara L. Diamond.”

Don’t forget to spay & neuter your cats & dogs.  There can be too much of a good thing!  There’s only so much catnip to go around. 

Cats and wildlife live longer when cats stay indoors. 

FELNE FAVORITE OF THE DAY

Cadbury at El Refugio Animal Shelter in Costa Ballena, Costa Rica

Hi, I’m Cadbury. If you like sweets, I’m your cat!  With my purrs, my eye kisses, and my paw tickles, you will be the happiest human ever. Let’s make chocolate together! Hugs Cadbury

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