Spring 2009 Mews Letter  



Cat Games

  • Cat toys with glued on eyes and tails can come off easily and be choked on. Remove these bits and pieces before giving the toy to your cat.
  • Play “with” your cat by using a “fishing pole” type toy like the DaBird or Cat Dancer. To keep the allure of these toys fresh put them away, and out of sight between play sessions. Using these kinds of toys can create a better bond between you and your pet. Kitty is also less likely to accidentally catch one of your fingers or toes when playing with these kinds of toys.
  • Other great toys are Sparkle or Glitter balls, ping-pong balls (try putting a few in the bath tub, no water please), laser pointers (keep out of kitty’s eyes), wadded up paper, and catnip mice. Paper bags and cardboard boxes can be fun too. Be creative and use your imagination but never give a toy to your cat that you wouldn’t feel safe giving to a toddler.
  • A cat should never be left alone with a toy that involves string or yarn. Yarn and string can get caught on the barbs of their tongues and they can’t spit the string out like you and I can. If your cat has swallowed yarn or string, don’t try to pull it out. String can get tangled in the cat’s digestive tract and cut the intestines. Call us ASAP!!
  • Cats can get bored if presented with the same toys all the time. Rotate your cat’s toys and only leave a few out at a time. Try making a “busy box” for your cat. Take a low box and cut a hole in it big enough for your cat to reach his paw inside. Put some toys in the box, like a sparkle ball or ping-pong ball and watch the fun your cat will have fishing the toy out. You can put cat treats inside too to help get him started.
  • NEVER play rough with your hands or feet! You are teaching your cat that it is okay to bite and scratch human flesh. This includes the games you may be tempted to play under the bed covers. Hands should be for loving and healing. Toys are for attacking and biting. What is cute as a kitten is often unacceptable as an adult cat. Don’t teach your cat bad habits you both will regret later.


Please welcome our new Wendys…

Yes, I said that right, we now employ TWO people named Wendy!  There is Wendy V. who helps assist Dr. Flatley in the back of the clinic.  Then there is Wendy R. who is learning to reception with Peggy.  Both Wendys are huge cat lovers, and we are excited for these new additions to our family.  


Money Saving Tips!

*  Schedule Regular Check-Ups
Remember the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?”
*  Personalize Your Cat’s Vaccines
Hard times are not an excuse to skip your cat’s annual shots.  Some vaccines are essential in preventing serious diseases.
*  Spay or Neuter Your Cat
Spaying or neutering your cat can save a lot of money by preventing serious health problems including uterine, ovarian and testicular cancer.
*  Brush Your Cat’s Teeth
Dental disease—such as tartar, gingivitis, loose or infected teeth—can lead to heart and kidney problems and expensive procedures. Start a daily dental routine to keep your cat’s teeth and gums healthy.
*  Protect Your Cat from Parasites
Flea and tick infestations can cause a host of costly medical problems from minor skin irritations to life-threatening anemia.
*  Toss the Cigarettes
Secondhand smoke is no joke for cats—it can cause asthma, bronchitis, lymphoma and oral, nasal and lung cancers.
*  See a Cat Specialist
Owners can reduce costs by getting a cat’s condition diagnosed and treated by an specialist as quickly as possible
*  Consider Pet Health Insurance
Consider investing in pet health insurance, while your cat is healthy.
*  Buy High-Quality Cat Food
Avoid overfeeding your cat, which can lead to obesity and other health problems


Fun Facts!

  • Cats respond most readily to names that end in an "ee" sound.
  • The female cat reaches sexual maturity within 6 to 10 months; most veterinarians suggest spaying the female at 4 months, before her first heat period. The male cat usually reaches sexual maturity at 6 months of age.
  • Female cats are "polyestrous," which means they may have many heat periods over the course of a year. A heat period lasts about 4 to 7 days if the female is bred; if she is not, the heat period lasts longer and recurs at regular intervals.

Feline Events

02/24/09 OARS Photo Contest
02/28/09 OARS @ Younkers
02/13/09 OAHS Adopt-a-thon
03/27-29/09, OARS @ Pet Expo
03/28/09 OAHS Birthday Party
04/18/09 OAHS Marathon
05/2/09, Saving Paws @ Human Race
09/12/09 OARS Shelter Trek

Myth: Tapeworms come from bad food.
Fact: Pets become infected with tapeworms from swallowing fleas, which carry the parasite. Also, cats can get tapeworms from eating infected mice or other exposed animals.

CAT     L I C E N S E S


Due March 31 for animals six months or older.

Appleton:  $6, 222 S. Walnut Street
Kaukauna:  $5, 201 W. Second Street
Kimberly:  $7, 515 W. Kimberly Avenue
Little Chute:  $12, 200 W. McKinley
Menasha:  $7, 140 Main Street
Neenah:  $6, 211 Walnut Street
Town of Grand Chute:  $6, 1900 W. Grand Chute Blvd.
Town of Greenville:  $3, W6860 Parkview Drive
Town of Menasha:  $7, 2000 Municipal Drive
Town of Neenah:  $3, 1648 S. Park Avenue