Cats Cradle Shelter

CATS Cradle Shelter

23 hours ago

"What do you mean it's Monday?? What about the weekend? I'm tired." - Vaughn, probably.He also told me to remind you to come see him and his friends at Open House! Tuesdays 3-6PM and Saturdays 12-4PM at Cats Cradle, 9 Ninth St S, Fargo ND 58103#catscradle #fargo #adoptdontshop ...

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CATS Cradle Shelter

6 days ago

Cats and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) As the days grow darker and shorter, and the thermometer plummets, so does the mood of millions of people living in the Northern Hemisphere. But humans are not the only ones affected by what scientists refer to as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. Our cats – even the happiest, most active and energetic ones -- can suffer the same dramatic downturn in mood. Signs of the kitty cat blues include a drastic change in appetite, excessive fatigue, nighttime restlessness, reduced social interactions, and/or extreme hair loss. According to scientists, the reason for these behavioral changes in both humans and felines appears to stem from the effect that light has on two significant hormones. The first is melatonin, produced in the pineal gland. The second is serotonin, produced in the brain. Melatonin, often referred to as the “hormone of darkness”, plays a vital role in regulating the sleep cycle. The pineal gland is light sensitive, and because melatonin is usually secreted at night, the less light there is – as in the shorter, darker days of winter -- the greater the production of melatonin. Serotonin, often referred to as the “feel good” substance in the brain also affects mood, appetite and sleep – but in an entirely different way. In this case, it’s sunlight that’s needed for the production of serotonin. There are ways, however, to combat the effects of daylight’s diminishing hours on your cat’s mood before the full onset of winter. The simplest solution is one used by many humans with SAD: spending an increased amount of time in natural daylight. If your kitty has a lounge or bed, put it next to a window or underneath a skylight. If you have a cat-proof window, open it and let her perch awhile on the ledge. If she’s comfortable outdoors, allow her some playtime when the sun is brightest. Another remedy is an artificial sunlight lamp. These therapy lights use special bulbs that mimic the natural light of the sun and can be bought at any major general retailer or online. Simply keep it turned on in a place where your kitty spends most of her time when she’s awake in order for her retinas to take in all of the light. Hopefully, following all or some of these suggestions will spare your cherished feline companion an unnecessary case of the kitty cat blues. 🐾🐈‍⬛🐾🐈‍⬛🐾🐈‍⬛🐾Articles are written by Nomi Berger, an established author and journalist, living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who graciously volunteers her time and talent to help further our rescue efforts.#catsoftiktok#moorheadmn#fostercats#catsofinstagram #donatenow#donate#Fargo#catsoffacebook#adopt ...

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CATS Cradle Shelter

2 weeks ago

Realtor is adoptable at Cats Cradle Shelter right now. 1.5 Years Old | Domestic Short Hair / Mixed (short coat) | AdultRealtor is running, which feels on brand. Pets across Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead, and Horace are on the ballot for mayor, and every candidate picks a shelter animal as their running mate, cats included. Pick Realtor as your running mate and his face goes on your campaign poster with a link straight back to us, right up until he closes on a home of his own.He is a sleek, handsome black cat with a tiny spray of white whiskers on his neck and a great deal of confidence once he gets to know you. Realtor is cautious at first and needs someone willing to give him the freedom to go at his own pace. Once he trusts you, he will slowly tilt his head to invite a gentle neck rub. He would do best as an only cat or with younger cat companions in a calm home.Adopt from a partner shelter between September 18 and October 17 and say at the counter “I am here for the Novel Pet Election” and Novel puts $100 toward the adoption fee. We are a partner shelter.He is here: catscradleshelter.org/available-cats/#action_0=pet&animalID_0=22776736&petIndex_0=-1pets.buildwithnovel.com/ #rrvpetelection ...

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CATS Cradle Shelter

2 weeks ago

Can Cats Lie Down on Cue? Curious as to whether or not YOUR favorite feline can be taught to lie down on cue? According to pet trainers, it’s, paws down, one of the easiest behaviors a cat can learn. As a matter of fact, the more relaxed YOU are, the more relaxed your kitty will be, thereby affording you the optimum opportunity to positively reinforce this behavior. Choose a location where your cat’s already comfortable curling up or sprawling out, whether it’s a couch, your bed or her own preferred perch. To make the spot even more appealing, cover it with an especially soft rug or fleecy blanket. Each training session should be brief – from one to five minutes – and to hold her attention and keep her engaged, always offer her ample rewards throughout. Begin by marking and rewarding her instinctive tendency to lie down. As soon as she starts moving into a resting position, say “down” and mark it either with a word, such as “good”, or with the click of a training clicker, followed promptly by a reward, i.e. a high-value treat. Not only does the marker help your kitty learn what the desired behavior is, the reward teaches her to associate good things with that behavior. If she seems confused by receiving a reward for a behavior that’s natural to her, don’t be discouraged. The key is repetition and consistency, building on her ability to learn the connection between the desired behavior and the resulting reward. By coupling the word “down” with the action of lying down, you’re teaching her to associate one with the other, followed, of course, by that all-important treat. The more you repeat this sequence, the sooner your kitty will learn that lying down in response to the word “down” is more than worth her while! Up for a greater challenge? Use a “lure” as a way of teaching your kitty to lie down. Whether it’s a treat held in your closed hand, a tiny ball or a small crinkle toy, hold it in front of and slightly below her when she’s perched higher up on a chair or a cat tree, for example. As she moves to investigate, say “down” and mark it either with a word, such as “good” or with the click of a training clicker, and reward her with a treat whether she only bends slightly or actually lowers her chest to the surface of the cat tree or chair. Repeat the process until she’s fully resting in the desired down position. Once she’s mastered this, switch from holding the “lure” where she can see it to holding it in your closed palm. This will teach her to follow your hand and not the “lure.” Continue rewarding her with a treat each time she successfully lies down, but remember to give her the treat with your other hand! Your ultimate goal is to use only the hand signal preceded a second or two earlier by the word “down.” Remember the old axiom: practice makes perfect or, in this case, purr-fect? With ongoing practice – and paw-lenty of patience on your part -- your kitty should soon start anticipating the verbal cue “down” and move into the down position as soon as she hears it. Whichever training strategy you choose, increase the time your cat remains in the down position by intermittently rewarding her with a treat. Then, at the end of each session, use a release word such as “free” as a signal to her that she is literally being freed from lying down. 🐾🐈‍⬛🐾🐈‍⬛🐾🐈‍⬛🐾Articles are written by Nomi Berger, an established author and journalist, living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who graciously volunteers her time and talent to help further our rescue efforts.#moorheadmn#donate#Fargo #adoptdontshop#fostercats#donatenow#adopt#fosteringsaveslives#catsofinstagram#catsoffacebook#catsoftiktok ...

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CATS Cradle Shelter

2 weeks ago

Roku is adoptable at Cats Cradle Shelter right now. 3 Years | Domestic Short Hair / Mixed (short coat) | AdultSweet little Roku is the newest member of our diabetic crew, and she is already stealing hearts. Four cities, Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead, and Horace, are each electing a pet for mayor, and every candidate picks a shelter animal as their running mate. Cats are eligible; we checked twice. Pick Roku as your running mate and her face goes on your campaign poster with a link straight back to us, and it stays there even after she has gone home.Roku is curious, playful, and loves exploring, but after every adventure, she finds her way right back to your lap. She sits like she has already been sworn in. Her diabetes is managed with an oral liquid medication once a day and a strict diet of Fancy Feast canned chicken pate. Unlike some kitties, Roku is comfortable with feline roommates and could live with other cats given slow, proper introductions. She is ready to find someone who sees the loving companion she truly is.Adopt from a partner shelter between September 18 and October 17 and say at the counter “I am here for the Novel Pet Election” and Novel puts $100 toward the adoption fee. We are a partner shelter.Her bio is here: catscradleshelter.org/available-cats/#action_0=pet&animalID_0=22732030&petIndex_0=-1pets.buildwithnovel.com/#RRVPetElection ...

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