Category Archives: health benefits

cat facts, funny, health benefits, love, shelter information, Uncategorized

Do Cats have SuperPowers? Most Definitely!!

Super Cat to the Rescue photo by Bestfriends.org.

My human was sick this week. She was reluctant to go to work at the El Refugio Shelter because she was under the weather. I encouraged her to go because I just KNEW it was the catnip she needed. When she arrived back home, she was BEAMING, with a HUGE smile on her face. She said that when she arrived at the shelter, so many of my feline friends gave her lots of extra attention. And not just the ones that are always flirting (you know who you are Keylor and Mickey!) but other cats that are usually a little more reserved with my human (Bandit, Papaya, and Cadbury). It was truly a Cat Therapy session FREE of Charge with lots of FELINE HAPPY.

Here are just a few of our FELINE SUPERPOWERS!

Cats have the Power to Make You Happy. After just a few minutes with your favorite feline, your cortisol level (the hormone related to stress) is lowered and your serotonin and oxytocin levels (your hormones that make you happy) are raised. This is definitely something to SMILE about!

Cats have the Power to Lengthen your Life. Having a cat in your life, lowers your blood pressure and also lowers your risk for a stroke or heart disease. Your doctor would definitely approve!

Doctor Norman

Cats have the Power to Heal your Injuries. Having a feline companion will help heal your bone and muscle injuries just by being near her Purrs. The Purr of a Cat ranges from 20-140 Hertz, which is the frequency range where bones and muscles grow and repair themselves. PURRfect medicine!

WONDER cat Photo by Bestfriends.org

Cats have the Power to help Heal your Anxiety. Studies have shown that cats can be life-changing for people with mental illness. It has been shown that cats can sense emotional changes in their humans, and be there to give a much needed leg rub, or an ankle nudge, or a kiss when needed. Also, therapy cats provide support for the elderly, people with dementia, and even autism! Wow, all, I can say is WOW!

So, there you have it, us cats DO indeed have Superpowers! We may not wear a fancy cape (PLEASE no CAPE!), or fly through the air (although, Smoky at El Refugio definitely can fly!) but we do indeed have the ability to help make you HAPPY, LENGTHEN your life, HEAL your injuries, and TAME your anxiety. Please consider adopting one of us SUPER cats. Not only will we help SAVE your life, but you will SAVE our lives too. And, if you know of someone who needs some healing, please SHARE my blog and even better, ADOPT a cat for them too!!

Cheers,

Norman

“Time spent with cats is never wasted.” – Sigmund Freud

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

Baby Priscilla

Hi, I’m Priscilla. I was found at the beach with a broken leg. I’m all better now and ready to bring you lots of giggles and smiles. I’m waiting for you at El Refugio Animal Shelter in Costa Ballena. xoxo Priscilla

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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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family, health benefits, life lessons, love, Uncategorized

Just call me Professor Norman!

In my last blog post I ended the post with some tantalizing catnip about how us cats can teach your children important life skills.

Class is now in session! Take out your notepad and your favorite writing paw (I mean pen), and let’s get started with “Life Lessons According to ME.”

Besides the many health benefits from having cats in your family (fewer allergies and less stress and anxiety I’ll cover just a few of the other many benefits for your children when adopting a cat:

  • Responsibility. Sharing some of the daily tasks associated with us cats can teach your child responsibility. Daily tasks such as FEEDING (my top priority), litter box cleaning (someone’s gotta do it and I can’t), and brushing our coat (especially if its a hairless cat – lol!) teach a child responsibility.
  • Empathy. A cat can teach your child about empathy. By your child simply petting a cat, listening to our purrs, noticing the positive reactions when stroking our ears, or rubbing our belly, these simple gestures can all teach your child how to respect and tune in to another being’s needs.
  • Love and Companionship. Cats will shower your child with unconditional love. With this overflowing cat love, your child will learn to also love others unconditionally, while also giving your child companionship (especially if he is an only child). Cats will help children combat loneliness.
  • Save a life!!! Adopting a cat, especially from an animal shelter, can teach your child the amazing awesomeness of saving a life. Now, that my beautiful humans, is a life lesson that keeps on giving.

So, my sweet mamas and papas out there, let me lighten your workload just a little, by adopting one of us cats. We will help teach your children some amazing life lessons, did I say FREE OF CHARGE!

Cheers,

Norman

“A balanced diet is having chocolate in both hands. Garfield”

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

Jorge at El Refugio Costa Ballena, Costa Rica

Jorge

SURFING FOR YOU! Hi, my name is JORGE.  I am a young adult male. I was found at the beach and brought to El Refugio. I get along with other cats. But, I am past the kitten stage, so less playing with kittens and more spoiling my human.  Can I spoil you??  I am waiting for you at El Refugio. xo Jorge

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family, funny, health benefits, Uncategorized

Listen up – another great reason to adopt a cat – fewer allergies for your kids!

I am not surprised at all to hear this, but I thought I should share this amazing news with you. Especially if YOU have not yet adopted a shelter cat.

Numerous studies reveal that children that have lived with pets (cats and/or dogs) in their first two years of life were 77% less likely to develop various types of allergies. Not only pet allergies, but also dust mites, ragweed, and grass allergies. Wow! Wait, before you go on, read those last two sentences again. I’ll wait for you here (sounds of paw pads tapping the keypad over and over again…………………………………………………………………………………………………..).

Also, these studies go against the long-held belief that children exposed to pets could develop allergies later in life. These studies show this long-held belief just isn’t true. What great news this is for parents, their children, and of course us cats!

Exposing children to us cats will not only help PREVENT allergies, but so much more! While I have been boasting about all the health benefits from adopting a cat (prevent heart disease and stroke & purring medicine), I haven’t even touched on the many emotional and mental benefits, as well TEACHING moments received when you adopt one of us cats: Responsibility, Empathy, Companionship, and of course Fun! Sounds like the best gift you could give your children (and yourself) is a CAT!!!

Please stay tuned to my upcoming blog posts where I will share with you the many benefits for your family when adopting one of us amazing purrfect adorable hilarious awesome cats. Until then my beautiful humans, until then.

Cheers,

Norman

“If people were meant to pop out of bed, we’d all sleep in toasters. – Garfield”

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

Kendra, young female cat at El Refugio, Costa Ballena, Costa Rica

Kendra is Kissable

Hi, my name Is KENDRA.  I am a very young cat.  I love to play with other cats and humans. I promise to bring you joy and fun (and kisses!) everyday.  Will you play with me? 

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funny, health benefits, love, Uncategorized

I’ll get you a date!! (if you are a man, that is)

Just call me matchmaker, cupid, or my favorite the Love cat – Meow!

Research finds that men who adopt cats (especially shelter cats) are more attractive than men who own dogs. I’m not kitten around here. This is purrty amazing information. Here are some of the reasons:

  1. NO Commitment Issues – men who adopt us cats understand that cats can live longer than dogs – sometimes up to 20 years. This shows us that a man is making a commitment to take care of another living being for a pretty long time – very sexy indeed!
  2. Spirit of INDEPENDENCE – us cats are known for our independence. We don’t have to be with you, we choose to be with you. We aren’t clingy, we are affectionate. We like our space, but also want to share yours. Thus, men with cats appreciate someone with a spirit of independence.
  3. LOVE. When a man adopts one of us rescue cats, it shows us he is accepting, loving, and purrly amazing to save a cat’s life. It gives the world hope. It gives me hope. Can you hear my purring right now? (remember the benefits of purring?) It is making me very sleeply. Wait, while I rest my furry head down for just one minute.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Okay, where were we?

Oh yes, why a man with a cat is sexy. Well, honestly because cats are sexy, but I digress. I’ve been stalking (I mean browsing) this celebrity webpage with my paw for the last couple of minutes (ok, hours). Celebrity Catnip, beauties that love us cats – ME-OW.

But, if celebrities aren’t your catnip, take a look at these historical men and their lovely words about us cats:

  • Sigmund Freud  “Time spent with cats is never wasted.”
  • Albert Schweitzer “There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.”
  • Charles Dickens  “What greater gift than the love of a cat?”
  • Leonardo Da Vinci “The cat is nature’s masterpiece.”

So, yes, if you are a man and you own a rescue dog, well, that is pretty darn amazing too. But, if you really want to up your game (dating game that is), rescue a cat too. While you are semi-attractive now, you will be MUCH more purrfectly attractive after adopting one of us shelter cats.

Cheers,

Norman

“Housework. No one notices when you do it. But everyone notices it when you don’t. – Garfield”

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 at El Refugio animal shelter in Costa Ballena, Costa Rica.

Hi, I’m Mickey. I am a young male tuxedo cat. I’m all dressed up and waiting for you at El Refugio in Costa Ballena, Costa Rica.

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health benefits, Uncategorized

I have the PURRfect medicine for you!

Purring. Yes, you heard me right, you lucky devil. And, when you hear my purring, you are being given therapeutic health benefits for your bones and muscles. And, might I add, this healing method is FREE!

If you don’t believe me, read this article The Healing Power of Cat Purrs. Cats create purr vibrations at a frequency of 20-140 HZ, which is known to be medically therapeutic for many illnesses.

If you haven’t been lucky enough to pet a cat and hear her purr, then check out this video and try not to become calm and peaceful Happy Cat Purring Smoothly. You might even fall asleep. (I do, often, when I listen to myself purr.) I’d say this is definitely the PURRfect medicine for you.

A FREE cat therapy session at El Refugio, Costa Ballena, Costa Rica

If you are in the Costa Ballena area, please stop by our shelter. Come sit with us feline beauties for awhile, try NOT to smile, and enjoy the free healing medicine! Your heart, your mind, your body, and especially us felines, will be so glad you did!

Now, as you were reading this, yes, I was being petted by this amazing volunteer at the shelter, and my purring has put her to sleep (don’t tell her boss!), and I can barely keep my eyes open. But, while she is sleeping I think I will find those cat treats I saw her hide. Until we meet again.

Cheers,

Norman the cat

“Avoid fruits and nuts: after all, you are what you eat. – Garfield”

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

Rolo at El Refugio Animal Shelter, Costa Ballena, Costa Rica

Rolo

Hi, my name is Rolo. I am a young male cat. You know what they say about Tuxedo cats, don’t you! Come meet me at El Refugio and you will see I’m the PURRfect size for you. xo Rolo

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health benefits, Uncategorized

Why YOU Should Own a Cat!

by Norman the Cat

First things first, I don’t like the word “own” but for all practical human purposes, this word will be used.  But, I am telling you now, I don’t like it, with a triple loud MEOW MEOW MEOW.  We don’t own each other, we  nurture each other.  Any who, here is one very important reason why you should bring one of us amazing shelter cats home with you – YOU WILL LIVE LONGER!  Now, rumor has it, I have nine lives, but you my dear human friend only have one life I hear, so listen up to this very important blog post! 

You will live longer with a cat.  Did you know that owning a cat lowers your risk of heart disease?  I’m serious, there actually are studies that show I will save your life!!  A US National Library of Medicine 2009 article says that there is a decreased risk for death due to heart attacks and all cardiovascular diseases (including strokes) among persons with cats. Wow, now I knew all along that I had amazing super powers but to have it in writing, well, that confirms it all! 

Now, if I didn’t convince you to run down to the nearest animal shelter to find your furry cat friend, read on. This next study confirms that owning a cat can reduce your risk of a stoke by a third!! 

Did you know the World Health Organization said in 2016, “Of the 56.9 million deaths worldwide in 2016, more than half (54%) were due to the top 10 causes, of those causes, Ischaemic heart disease and stroke are the world’s biggest killers, accounting for a combined 15.2 million deaths in 2016. These diseases have remained the leading causes of death globally in the last 15 years.”  Double MEOW MEOW!!  I hope I didn’t scare you into a heart attack or stroke with that last bit of information, but don’t worry, here’s some tantalizing catnip for you, please read on. 

An article by The Telegraph shows that a cat can actually reduce your risk of a stroke.  Even, just the simple act of petting your cat can lower the stress-related hormones in your blood, thus lowering the stress and anxiety in your body and in your life. Can I say it again – double MEOW MEOW!!

So, my human friends, take HEART (and stroke) of these very important research articles and go get yourself a cat at your nearest animal shelter.If you are in the Costa Ballena area of Costa Rica, please stop by the El Refugio shelter.  You will live longer, and you will save not only your life, but a well deserved cat’s life too!

Now, its time for my catnap before dinner. So, stay tuned for my next blog post where I will continue to share with you even more health benefits of owning a furry feline friend.

Cheers,

Norman the Cat

“If you want to look thinner, hang around people fatter than you. – Garfield”

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

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

Havy is Heartsome

Hi, my name is Havy. I am a female cat and I love to give kisses and cuddles. I get along with other cats and even dogs. Come find me at El Refugio in Costa Ballena, Costa Rica. I’ll be waiting for you with open paws.

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